ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is dismissing a viral social media video that falsely claims Coordinating Minister Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has announced a “revolutionary drug” to cure diabetes, to be distributed free nationwide.
In a statement issued Sunday, the ministry calls the footage “false, misleading and maliciously manipulated,” saying it splices altered segments from a Channels Television broadcast with digitally doctored clips of Pate’s public appearances.
“No such drug has been announced or approved,” the ministry insists. “The minister has made no such remarks at any forum.”
Officials urge Nigerians to verify medical information through credible sources and to ignore fraudulent posts, particularly those seeking personal data in exchange for supposed treatments.
The ministry stresses that diabetes care remains part of its non-communicable diseases programme, offered through accredited health facilities in collaboration with state governments and licensed medical professionals.
Regulatory and law enforcement agencies — including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Police Force and the National Broadcasting Commission — are tracing the origin of the video and pledging legal action against those responsible.
The rebuttal is published on the ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @Fmohnigeria, and other verified channels. “We urge the public to rely only on official updates,” the ministry says.
