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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Federal Government has announced the expansion of its engagements with traditional, religious and community leaders in its quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, told journalists at a press conference, in Abuja, yesterday, that such expansion became necessary in recognition of the loyalty and respect that these set of leaders command in the society particularly in the rural communities.
He announced that the expanded engagement will be cemented at the forthcoming National Traditional and Religious Leaders’ Summit on Health, in Abuja.
He said the summit was designed to deepen understanding of the ministry’s reform blueprint aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda; strengthen collaboration for implementation; and reinforce accountability at federal, state, and local levels.
He noted that traditional and religious leaders are being engaged as partners in community mobilization; champions of trust and accountability; influential voices who translate policy into everyday action. “Diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria do not recognize religion, ethnicity, geography, or gender.
“In 2009, in collaboration with the Sultan of Sokoto, we established the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Primary Health Care. NTLC contributes meaningfully to addressing vaccine hesitancy and supporting polio eradication.
“Over time, the engagement expanded to include Southern Traditional Leaders. But for the first time, this summit will bring together traditional and religious leaders nationwide in a unified forum on health, expanding beyond immunisation to encompass broader system priorities.
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“The engagement is about clarity, alignment, and shared responsibility. Nigeria is implementing a comprehensive reform under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) anchored on the Health Sector Renewal Compact.”
The minister said the summit is structured as dialogue. “The government will present progress, but we will also listen to issues of maternal and child health; nutrition including feeding practices and underlying determinants of malnutrition; human resources for health; service delivery systems.
“Health is not only clinical care. It includes household decisions, social norms, and community practices. The summit has been expanded to include the launch of the National Health Fellows Programme; a structured dialogue on the Nigeria–United States Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) supporting HIV, TB, and Malaria responses.”
On the Nigeria–United States MoU on HIV, TB, and Malaria, the minister explained that for over 25 years, the US Government has supported Nigeria’s response to HIV, TB, and Malaria. “However, last year brought significant uncertainty following adjustments in US development assistance. We used that moment to reset the partnership.
“Through constructive engagement, we agreed on a five-year framework. Approximately $2billion from the US government over five years; while approximately $3billion is expected from Nigeria over the same period; as well as a defined exit in 2030. This means 60 per cent of total financing under this arrangement will be Nigerian resources. This is a structured transition.
“Nevertheless, we will increase domestic financing, while external financing reduces in a predictable manner. The health of Nigerians is the responsibility of Nigerians. Partners can support. They cannot permanently substitute sovereign responsibility,” the minister said.
“There is no provision in the MoU privileged any specific religious group. Faith-based providers have long been part of service delivery architecture in Nigeria’s HIV, TB, and Malaria response. This is a technical service delivery arrangement not a political one.We must avoid narratives that distort facts or promote division.”
