By Fatima Saka
CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE — The Federal Government on Friday announced sweeping policy decisions aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening Nigeria’s health system, following the conclusion of the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) in Calabar.
In a communique read by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, mni, at the closing ceremony, the Council outlined key resolutions designed to drive equity, resilience, and innovation across the sector.
Held from November 17–21, 2025, at the Calabar International Convention Centre, the 66th NCH brought together the country’s top health policymakers. Established under the National Health Act (2014), the Council is Nigeria’s highest decision-making body on health matters, comprising State Commissioners for Health, the Human Services and Environment Secretariat of the FCT, the Minister of State for Health, and chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON.
With the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” this year’s session focused on two strategic sub-themes: Sustainable Health Financing and Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Health Workforce Development and Retention Strategies.
A total of 1,243 delegates participated, representing Federal Ministry of Health agencies, state ministries of health, State Houses of Assembly, and development partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank. Civil society organisations, health professional bodies, regulatory agencies, and medical units from the Nigerian Military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Federal Road Safety Corps, and other paramilitary formations were also in attendance.
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The communique highlighted measures to strengthen governance, improve financing efficiency, expand primary healthcare services, and enhance retention of skilled health workers.
The resolutions are expected to guide both federal and state-level health planning and implementation over the next year, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to achieving UHC.
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