The Director General of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Professor Saleh Yuguda, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Professor Yuguda said the visit was to express deep appreciation to the Speaker for his instrumental role in sponsoring the bill that established the NBSA a milestone legislation that has transformed Nigeria’s approach to blood safety and transfusion services.
He praised Speaker Abbas for his visionary leadership and legislative commitment, noting that without his sponsorship, the agency might not have achieved its current legal and institutional standing. The DG also used the opportunity to seek continued legislative support for the agency’s next phase of reforms, including improved funding, policy direction, and a robust legal framework to strengthen the country’s blood services.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed the urgent need to build a safe, sufficient, and reliable national blood system. Professor Yuguda highlighted the NBSA’s ongoing efforts to promote voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation and establish state and zonal centres to meet Nigeria’s growing demand for blood transfusion.
In response, Speaker Abbas commended the progress made by the NBSA and reaffirmed the House’s commitment to supporting the agency’s life-saving mission. He described access to safe blood as a critical pillar of public health and assured the DG of the legislature’s readiness to back initiatives aimed at strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.
The meeting ended on a collaborative note, with both parties pledged to work more closely to promote a culture of voluntary blood donation and ensure that no Nigerian life is lost due to lack of access to safe blood.
