Oluwatobi Adu 
UN Resident Coordinator Mohammed Malick Fall
ABUJA, Nigeria – The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall, has called for greater youth participation in shaping Africa’s health future, saying young people must be recognised as leaders and partners in designing policies that will transform healthcare across the continent.
Speaking on Monday at the Youth Consultative Forum on the WHO African Regional Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and Vision 2035 in Abuja, Fall said Africa’s future health outcomes will depend on sustained investment in young people through education, healthcare and empowerment.
“The future of health in Africa will not be determined solely in boardrooms or policy documents. It will be shaped by the ideas, leadership and actions of young people like you,” Fall said. He urged participants to develop practical recommendations to strengthen universal health coverage, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, digital health, climate resilience, pandemic preparedness and health workforce development.
The UN Resident Coordinator noted that Africa continues to face rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, disease outbreaks, non-communicable diseases and inadequate health financing. However, he said young Africans are driving innovation through entrepreneurship, technology and community leadership that can reshape health systems across the continent.
About the Author
Abah Felicity 
Korede Abdullah 