Nigeria reaffirms support for AU’s 2 million community health workers initiative at UNGA

Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to the African Union’s (AU) ambitious plan to scale up two million Community Health Workers (CHWs) across the continent as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the pledge at the African CDC 2nd Taskforce Meeting of the Community Health Continental Coordination Mechanism (CCM) Principals, held on Tuesday at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako (5th from left), Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, his counterparts from other African countries and UNICEF officials in a group photograph. Also pictured (extreme left) is Dr. Kamil Shoretire, Director of the Health Planning Research & Statistics Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Delivering a solidarity message on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, Dr. Salako stressed that CHWs remain central to UHC, health security, and resilient systems in Africa.

He recalled the 2017 AU Assembly resolution which urged member states to prioritize the recruitment, training, and integration of CHWs, and highlighted Nigeria’s role in hosting the validation of the 2024 community health landscape survey. The survey, themed “Shaping the CHW Strategy, Scorecard and Strategic Action,” was endorsed by AU member countries and provides a framework for institutionalization, financing, governance, and policy direction for CHWs.

“The speed with which this document has moved to high-level dialogue shows our collective seriousness and commitment,” the Minister noted.

Dr. Salako further emphasized that investing in CHWs strengthen prevention, early detection, maternal and child health, and resilience against public health threats. He called for expanded training facilities, professionalization of CHW roles, creation of career progression pathways, and full integration into national health systems.

Commending the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, UNICEF, and other development partners for their support, Dr. Salako urged African governments to transform commitments into measurable outcomes.

“The future of community health in Africa depends on our shared resolve, collaboration, and action,” he said.