Category: Health

FG inaugurates NHIA Governing Council, sets new agenda for Universal Health Coverage

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government on Friday inaugurated the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), setting the tone for a renewed push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and sustainable healthcare financing in Nigeria.   The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, was led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who emphasized the strategic importance of the NHIA in reducing the financial burden of healthcare on citizens, particularly vulnerable groups.   “This is a very important milestone,” Professor Pate stated. “The NHIA is not…

FG commissions Multi-Specialty complex, unveils key Health Projects at FMC Keffi …as Health Minister Salako, Nasarawa Deputy Gov reaffirm commitment to Universal Health Coverage

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a major boost to tertiary healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s North Central region, the Federal Government has commissioned a state-of-the-art Multi-Specialty Complex and other critical infrastructure at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi. The commissioning ceremony, which took place on Thursday, was led by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, alongside the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who represented the Executive Governor of the state.   Speaking at the event, Dr. Salako reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to strengthening…

Customs, NAFDAC inaugurate Joint Committee to enforce 2024 Anti-Illicit Drugs MoU

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have inaugurated a Joint Implementation Committee to enforce the provisions of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both agencies in 2024.   The official inauguration took place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.   The MoU, signed on November 14, 2024, during the second day of the…

FG reappoints Babagana Mustapha as Health Records Registrar, sets new Digital Reform mandate

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reappointed Alhaji Babagana Mustapha as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN), with a directive to deepen digital reforms and align training standards with national healthcare objectives.   The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who presented the letter of reappointment on behalf of the government, commended Mustapha for his outstanding first-term performance, especially in digitizing the board’s registration processes.   “When your tenure ended and you were considered for renewal,…

FG reaffirms commitment to tackling severe NCDs at 2nd PEN-Plus Conference in Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong commitment to combating the rising burden of severe non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during the 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025), hosted in Abuja from July 8 to 10.   In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized the urgent need to tackle severe NCDs, including Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Sickle Cell Disease, and Rheumatic Heart Disease, through the PEN-Plus strategy. This initiative, supported by the World Health Organization…

FG backs Healthcare PPP as Minister Salako visits Everight Diagnostics, hails indigenous innovation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to fostering strong public-private partnerships (PPP) in the health sector as part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This reaffirmation came during the official visit of the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Ltd., Abuja, where he applauded the facility for its innovation, quality service delivery, and contribution to stemming the tide of medical brain drain. Dr. Salako…

Nigeria to host Landmark 2026 Global AMR Conference …… FG inaugurates Inter-Ministerial Committee Ahead of First-Ever African Edition in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a high-level Inter-Ministerial Advisory Committee to coordinate preparations for the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), scheduled to take place in Abuja from June 29 to 30, 2026. The event, which will be hosted for the first time on the African continent, underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global health governance and its commitment to tackling the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance. The Advisory Committee is jointly convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of…

FG, States reaffirm commitment to Primary Healthcare as 11th BHCPF Oversight Meeting approves over ₦65bn for 2025 implementation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments and stakeholders across the health sector, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), as the 11th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting held in Abuja.   Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said over 37 million Nigerians have accessed healthcare services through the BHCPF, a milestone made possible by strong partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, civil society groups, private sector actors, and development partners.   According…

FG unveils bold Digital Health Agenda at Africa Summit, pledges support for Innovation ,Youth Employment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to overhauling healthcare delivery through digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven systems, during the 5th Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS 2025) held in Lagos. Addressing stakeholders at the summit, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described digital health as a critical tool in advancing universal health coverage, improving health outcomes, and reducing financial barriers to care across Nigeria and the African continent.   The two-day event, themed “Strengthening Health Systems Through Digital Innovation, Data,…

NUJ FCT, Nizamiye Hospital conduct Free Health Screening for over 300 Abuja Journalists … High Blood Pressure, Sugar Level Cases Dominate as CDS Applauds Initiative

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in collaboration with Nizamiye Hospital, on Saturday conducted a free medical outreach for over 300 journalists in Abuja. The exercise, held at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako, focused on routine health screenings, during which many participants were found to have high blood pressure and elevated sugar levels. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, praised the initiative as timely and thoughtful. Represented by the Director of Medical Services, Surgeon Commodore Momoh Jimoh Salihu, the CDS said,…