Nigeria has taken a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in health financing, as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS, ATM Technical Working Group, concluded a two-day workshop in Abuja held from 11–12 August. The high-level meeting aimed to bolster the nation’s capacity to fund essential health services independently.
In a statement released by its ministry on Tuesday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate said, “This workshop is a vital step toward building a sustainable, resilient, and country-driven health system that can fund and deliver high-quality care with reduced reliance on external support.”
Deliberations focused on forging a transition pathway to enhance domestic resource mobilisation, optimise spending efficiency, and reduce reliance on donor funding for vital health programmes, including those addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The outcomes of the workshop are set to inform Nigeria’s inaugural National Health Financing Dialogue, scheduled for September.
Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori commented: “This dialogue will provide the strategic platform to align all actors towards a unified national vision for health financing.”
With international donor support projected to wane in the coming years, health experts underscore the urgency of Nigeria implementing robust strategies to sustain public health progress. Senator Banigo remarked: “This workshop lays the groundwork for Nigeria to take ownership of its health agenda.
The future of our health system must be shaped and driven by Nigerians.”
The workshop attended by senior government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders. Prominent figures at the workshop were Prof Pate, Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, and Dr Ilori, and Co-Chair of the ATM. State Commissioners for Health also attended.
