By Fatima Saka
The Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, delivered a powerful ministerial statement calling for sustainable financing and smarter health spending across Commonwealth nations.
Salako made this called at the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) held on Saturday at the Hilton Hotel and Resorts in Geneva, Switzerland,
Speaking under the theme “Investing in Health: Sustainable Financing for an Equitable Commonwealth,” Dr. Salako advocated for a bottom-up budgeting model that prioritizes primary health care, preventive services, local manufacturing, pooled procurement, and digital health systems.
“Nigeria believes smart spending is central to sustainable health financing,” Salako said, according to a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Director of Information and Public Relations. “We must reorient financing systems to maximize value and equity—especially by strengthening primary health care and promoting local solutions.”
Dr. Salako outlined significant achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, highlighting the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII)—a flagship program of the Renewed Hope Agenda—implemented through a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
Key milestones include:
Introduction of routine HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14, reaching over 12 million with 71% coverage.
Revitalization of primary healthcare centres in partnership with state governments.
Expanded investment in tertiary healthcare infrastructure.
Innovative funding strategies for managing catastrophic health conditions such as cancer and chronic kidney disease.
Establishment of the Social Action Fund to support community-led health promotion efforts.
Dr. Salako also emphasized Nigeria’s progress in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, citing strides in producing essential health commodities including insecticide-treated nets, antiretroviral drugs, rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs), ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), and vaccines. He noted that the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative is accelerating the country’s digital transformation in health.
“The current administration regards health as a fundamental human right. Through the NHSRII and SWAp, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain and expanding access to quality care,” he said.
Salako further underscored partnerships between Nigerian pharmaceutical firms and international partners aimed at boosting local drug production and advancing healthcare industrialization.
He further congratulates the newly appointed Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the new CHMM Chair, Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane of Lesotho, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to collaborative progress.
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“We urge the Commonwealth to remain united in our shared goal of equitable health for all. Nigeria stands ready to support sustainable financing and health innovation across member nations,” he stated.
The 37th CHMM convened health ministers and key stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to discuss resilient, long-term investments in equitable health systems.
