Since the Inauguration of President Bola Tinubu, his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been in the ‘market’ shopping for professionals or politicians to man the various ministerial positions. Martins Ifijeh x-rays the antecedents of the possible names that have been thrown up for the Ministry of Health.
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, development partners, key national and international stakeholders in the health sector, as well as concerned Nigerians have been watching keenly to know who heads the Ministry of Health. It is not clear yet whether the new government will consider the ministry a top one that requires a square peg for its square hole or will merely compensate one of its medical doctor supporters to head the ministry as we have seen in the recent past.
To players in the health and development space, whoever heads the sector will play a significant role in whether the country can wiggle its way out of the poor health indices it is notorious for. This will also tell how much support in terms of policy formulation, human capital and financing the sector can attract from the likes of the World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund, World Health Organisation, among others.
A couple of names have been thrown around in the inner circles of the APC since President Tinubu was declared winner of the election; from previous political office holders to core politicians, up to experienced professionals. Who are these top names, and what are their antecedents? Who among them will clinch the nomination and subsequent appointment?
Senator Lanre Tejuoso
Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health during the 8th Assembly, is not new to health stakeholders. He was one of the drivers for increased funding of the sector through policy formulations and activism. He played a key role in the establishment of the Basic Health Care Provisions Fund (BHCPF) and the accompanying one per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund which the Ministry of Health is presently enjoying.
As the senator in charge of health in the National Assembly during his time, he was a delight for development partners because of his stand on health financing, primary healthcare as well as knowledge in using the bureaucracy of government to attract attention to his cause.
The 59-year-old prince from Ogun State is the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
Dr. Betta Edu
Call Dr. Betta Edu a woman who has defied Nigerian odds to remain relevant, and you will be right; first, as a Harvard and Nigerian trained medical doctor who has won over 300 awards in healthcare advocacy, and secondly, as a politician who is presently the National Women Leader of the APC.
At just 36 years, she has climbed the ladder in her career as a successful medical doctor; Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor, Commissioner for Health, Cross River; National Chairman of Commissioners of Health in Nigeria, and now head of the women wing of the APC nationally.
Although many may consider her success a fairy tale, hinging it on a push from godfathers and grace, they have failed to understand that apart from this rigorous simplicity, the narrative fails to take into consideration the complexity of success. Her dogged, persuasive, smart, hardworking and super energetic character have pushed her this far. At least these are former First Lady, Aisha Buhari’s description of Edu during her 36th birthday celebration.
Although she may be relatively unknown to most international and national stakeholders in the health sector, as well as development partners, her strong influence in APC and the corridors of power, youthfulness and gender may play heavy roles in her clinging the position of Minister of Health under President Tinubu.
Dr. Obi Adigwe
If there’s one Nigerian whose knowledge and result oriented approach is needed to revitalise the health sector, it is the current Director General, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe.
Prior to his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari, following his emergence as the top scorer in a merit driven comprehensive interview process, NIPRD was referred to as a ‘grade c’ parastatal due to its neglect and minimal contribution to the health and research space. But all that has changed. It is one of the toasts of the health sector because of the contributions it is presently making for the country. From the research and development of phytomedicines, drugs, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and biological products from indigenous Nigerian herbs, up to the development of projects which increase access to health, as well as expedite national socio-economic development, NIPRD is no longer the same.
Before becoming NIPRD DG, Adigwe was the Executive Secretary, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN), where he played a key role in the prioritisation of the pharma industry in the 2016 fiscal policy, the conceptualisation of the internationally renowned Medicines’ Security Concept, among others.
Dr Adigwe was also the pioneer Head of the Health Policy Research and Development (HPRD) Unit at the National Assembly, where he formulated research and development strategies in health policy as well as developed innovative and contextual training, research and capacity building modules.
Despite his network with national and international health stakeholders, as well as development partners, those familiar with his character believe he is not a Nigerian who would lobby for any position but would rather hope his track records speak on his behalf.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe
If you understand what it takes to displace a sitting Senate President, then you will know Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe is no ordinary man. During the build up to the 9th senate, he sent the number three man in the country – former Senate President Bukola Saraki – from the National Assembly. He replaced him as the representative from Kwara Central. He subsequently became the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health where he championed several bills in favour of the health sector.
He has excelled In two worlds. First, as a medical doctor, and then as a politician. His vast network in the corridors of power, result oriented demeanor and his penchant for better health sector could play a huge role in him clinching the position of Minister of Health.
Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar
Although Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar is not a politician, he is a respected infectious disease expert. He is the current Dean, Faculty of Population Health Science, University College London, United Kingdom. Despite being a British epidemiologist, he has a bias for the Nigerian health system. He has been very vocal on how the country can improve its health system, as well as improve health security for the over 200 million Nigerians.
Prof. Abubakar, in 2016, was appointed by UCL as the Director of the Institute for Global Health and also served as Vice-Dean, International and External Engagement for the faculty. Prior to his appointment at UCL, he led Public Health England’s successful tuberculosis control strategy. He is a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator and was elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020 in recognition of his research in infectious disease epidemiology and migration and health. His wealth of experience and track record, especially in the UK where their health system works, may speak for him when decisions are made on who becomes the minister.
Senator Adeleke Mamora
Senator Adeleke Mamora, the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, straddles two worlds, and he has been successful at both. He made his mark in medical practice before sojourning into politics. From leading the Lagos State House of Assembly as Speaker in 1999, he gradually expanded his wit until he was elected as a senator in 2003 and in 2007. In the last dispensation, he was tapped by former President Muhammadu Buhari and made Minister of State for Health before being recently seconded to the Science and Technology Ministry where he held sway until Buhari’s tenure expired on May 29.
Some health stakeholders believe he would have made a more significant impact in the health sector if he had been the substantial Minister of Health between 2019 and 2023 under President Buhari.
Senator Mamora’s strong affiliation with President Tinubu, as well as his experience at the Ministry of Health may play a huge role in clinching him the position.
Dr. Ibrahim Kana
Ever heard of the Saving One Million Lives Programme (SOMLs) which started during the former President Goodluck Jonathan era? Dr. Ibrahim Kana is the man who drove the project in 2014. This is the project that changed health financing conversation in Nigeria. The SOML project was the first government programme which facilitated a $500 million facility from the World Bank. Leading this huge project suggests how much trust the players had in Dr. Kana.
Although he is currently a Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, he remains one of the darlings of development partners who have not hesitated to throw up his name whenever inquiries are made on who should man the health ministry for President Tinubu.
Dr. Emmanuel Meribole
The name, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, may not strike a chord so easily, but stakeholders in the health and development space are familiar with it. He is the current Director, Department of Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health. Although a core civil servant, his deep understanding of health systems and goal-oriented character matches what development partners, and some key players in the industry believed could help put the ministry in the right path.
The fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Strategic Management started his career as a medical officer in 1991. His name is being thrown up as a possible nominee for the position.
Dr. Shuaib Belgore
Just like Dr. Meribole, Dr. Shuaib Belgore is a core civil servant. The Oklahoma trained public health expert and Nigerian trained medical doctor, is a Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior. Between January 2018 and June 2020, he was the Director, Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister of Health. He has headed several intervention programmes for the health sector. It is believed that if the ministry wants to do without politicians, core and experienced experts such as him could man the ministry. Some professionals are throwing his name around, hoping he is considered for the top job.
