Nigeria Champions Global Health Equity at BRICS Summit, Showcases Bold Reforms and Record HPV Campaign
By Pan Afric Reporters|Brasilia, Brazil| June 18, 2025
Nigeria reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to global health equity and unveiled sweeping domestic health reforms at the 15th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasilia. Representing the country, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, delivered a powerful national statement that emphasized solidarity, innovation, and self-reliance as cornerstones of Nigeria’s health strategy.
Speaking at the iconic Itamaraty Palace on Tuesday, Dr. Salako according to a press statement e-signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun called for stronger South-South cooperation to address mounting global health challenges including non-communicable diseases, pandemics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate change, and shrinking health budgets.
“These challenges call for stronger South-South cooperation and global solidarity to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and create a more equitable world,” Dr. Salako said, underscoring Nigeria’s role as a proactive BRICS partner.
He spotlighted Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a key driver of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The initiative is built on four transformative pillars:
- Effective governance
- An efficient and equitable health system
- Unlocking the healthcare value chain
- Ensuring health security
Dr. Salako highlighted how Nigeria is embracing digital transformation, smarter spending, and data-driven policy-making to build resilience and achieve health independence. Central to this shift is a renewed focus on local pharmaceutical and diagnostic production, revitalization of primary healthcare, and integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare delivery.
One of the meeting’s most applauded moments came as Dr. Salako announced a global record: over 14 million Nigerian girls aged 9–14 vaccinated against HPV by May 2025, the highest number ever recorded in a single campaign round.
Facing a decline in global aid, Nigeria has also pledged an additional $200 million in its 2025 national budget to sustain vital health programs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Beyond funding and infrastructure, the Minister emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to tackling social determinants of health and reducing lifestyle-related risk factors for NCDs through new national policies.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will host the next High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in June 2026 in Abuja, signaling its leadership role in regional and global health governance. Dr. Salako also extended a call for deeper BRICS partnerships in pharmaceutical innovation, phytomedicine, research, and academic exchange.
“In the context of our shared humanity, we must act together. Humanity is one,” he concluded, echoing Nigeria’s central message of unity and inclusivity.
The Brasilia summit, chaired by Brazil, concluded with a renewed commitment among BRICS nations to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable health systems in the face of increasing global health uncertainties.
