Mirian Gom 
EDITOR’S NOTE
This week’s health and development stories reveal a system under strain — from infectious disease outbreaks and frontline health worker safety failures to renewed efforts at cancer control, immunisation trust-building, and mental health reform. The ranking prioritises stories with immediate human impact, systemic exposure, and national or regional consequences, while also recognising policy milestones and prevention-focused interventions shaping Nigeria’s health future.
🔟 Nigeria Health Minister Pate Named to Global Devex Power 50
Nigeria’s Health Minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, earned global recognition with his inclusion on the Devex Power 50 list. The honour highlights international confidence in Nigeria’s health leadership, though its domestic impact remains indirect…
9️⃣ Kano Begins Medical Screening, Immunisation for 2026 Hajj Pilgrims
Kano State’s early medical screening and vaccination programme for intending pilgrims reflects proactive disease prevention tied to mass gatherings. Its reach is limited, but its public health value is clear…
8️⃣ Borrowed Energy, Silent Damage: How Energy Drinks Are Undermining Health
This investigative feature exposes how widespread energy drink use is quietly fuelling cardiovascular strain, sleep disorders, and long-term metabolic risks among Nigeria’s working population…
7️⃣ Mental Health Act Failure Drives Donors Away – Psychiatric Chief Warns
Nigeria’s failure to fully implement its Mental Health Act is eroding donor confidence and undermining service delivery, according to experts — a policy failure with long-term system consequences…
6️⃣ FG Unveils Cancer Control Policies, Opens Eight Oncology Clinics
The federal government’s unveiling of national cancer control policies and new oncology clinics marks a significant step toward structured cancer care, though sustainability and access remain key concerns…
5️⃣ Resident Doctors Halt Work After Brutal Hospital Assault in Ondo
A violent attack on doctors at FMC Owo triggered a work stoppage, exposing persistent security failures within hospital environments and escalating tensions between health workers and authorities…
4️⃣ Plateau Confirms Lassa Fever Outbreak as Death Toll Rises
Confirmed Lassa fever cases and deaths in Plateau State reinforce Nigeria’s recurring outbreak vulnerabilities and highlight gaps in early detection, surveillance, and response systems…
3️⃣ Nigeria Tightens Antimicrobial Surveillance as Poor Data Threatens Public Health
Nigeria’s push to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance addresses a silent but escalating health threat. Poor data quality has long hindered effective response, making this intervention strategically urgent…
2️⃣ Doctor’s Lassa Fever Death Sparks Safety Outcry Across Nigeria
The death of a doctor from Lassa fever has ignited national outrage over weak infection prevention measures, inadequate protective equipment, and unsafe working conditions for frontline health workers…
1️⃣ Doctor’s Lassa Fever Death Exposes Nigeria’s Health Worker Safety Crisis
At the top of this week’s ranking is a story that transcends individual tragedy. The death of a healthcare worker from Lassa fever lays bare systemic neglect of biosafety standards and the unacceptable risks faced daily by Nigeria’s health workforce — making it the most urgent and consequential health story of the week…
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Otamere Gladness