FG Raises Alarm Over Global Health Funding Shifts, Insists Nigeria Must Lead Its Own Health Agenda

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over emerging changes in global health funding, declaring that Nigeria must take full responsibility and remain firmly “in the driver’s seat” in safeguarding the health of its citizens.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made this known while receiving the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, His Excellency Felix Costales Artieda, who led a delegation from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.

The visit was aimed at briefing the Federal Government on key health programmes being implemented by the Spanish Agency in Nigeria and exploring avenues to deepen bilateral collaboration.

Addressing the delegation, Dr. Salako according to a press release e-signed by the ministry’s described concerns around the evolving global health funding landscape as legitimate but stressed that Nigeria must not rely excessively on external partners.

“The concern with the changes around global health funding is a legitimate concern, and Nigeria is also concerned. But we also realize that we cannot be dependent on anybody for the health of our citizens. We must take responsibility, and we must be in the driver’s seat for the health of our citizens,” he said.

He emphasized that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government is repositioning the health sector through the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a reform-driven transformation agenda structured around four strategic pillars.

Dr. Salako noted that discussions with the Spanish delegation have opened a fresh window for both countries to revisit and operationalize aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022. He highlighted technology transfer as a key component of the agreement, aligning with Nigeria’s broader goal of unlocking the healthcare value chain.

According to him, local manufacturing and industrial capacity building in the health sector are being driven by the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), aimed at reducing dependence on imported medical products and strengthening domestic production.

On maternal health, the Minister disclosed that Nigeria has taken bold steps to tackle obstetric fistula and gynecological challenges by establishing specialized institutions focused on obstetrics and gynecology. He added that the government is providing free treatment and social reintegration support for affected women.

“Nigeria is very happy with this initiative of trying to awaken and make our relationship and health system more robust, more active. We welcome this, and I want to assure you that on our side, we will do everything possible to promote that partnership. It is important that we do things more efficiently,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Anton Leis, Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, outlined several multilateral initiatives being implemented in Nigeria. He disclosed that the Agency is collaborating with UNFPA to combat harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and to support polio eradication efforts.

He further revealed that the Spanish Agency, working with UNICEF and the European Union, has contributed 1.1 million euros to promote health system efficiency and boost activities in Nigeria’s medical products industry.

Mr. Leis praised Nigeria’s Sector-Wide Approach model, describing it as fundamental to effective health system management. “We believe in that model. There is one plan, one budget, one important area, and I think this is fundamental,” he stated.

He added that efforts to enhance health efficiency are also being pursued in collaboration with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Resilient Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain.

In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Spain, recalling that both countries signed Memoranda of Understanding in 2022 and 2025 to strengthen cooperation in key sectors, particularly health.

The meeting underscored Nigeria’s renewed resolve to drive sustainable health reforms while fostering strategic international partnerships that align with national priorities.