By Fatima Saka
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, on Friday delivered a stirring and sensational call to action at the closing session of the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja, declaring that Nigeria is now shifting from “talk to transformative action” in its quest to rebuild the nation’s health sector.
Speaking after three days of intensive review sessions with federal officials, state representatives, partners and technical experts, Pate said the ministry had taken a bold step forward by launching a suite of strategic tools, reports and digital platforms designed to enforce accountability, overhaul health outcomes, and accelerate delivery of national priorities.
“We have made progress, but we also have some challenges,” he admitted. “Today, we are beginning to shift from review to laying the foundations for action. These products reflect our commitment to transparency, evidence, results, and accountability for the health of our people.”
Pate said the newly launched tools directly confront Nigeria’s most pressing health emergencies — maternal and newborn mortality, zero-dose children, health security and epidemic preparedness, primary healthcare revitalization, and climate-health resilience, an area he praised his Permanent Secretary for championing with global recognition.
The Minister applauded Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, describing her as “an emerging national expert” in climate and health, with her latest commentary in The Lancet set for publication. “Soon I will be taking her from one place to another,” he joked, commending her leadership on climate adaptation within the health sector.
He also acknowledged Dr. Anthony’s contributions to data transformation, stressing that the ministry had now codified various tools to give states and practitioners operational clarity and credible mechanisms for tracking results.
“Without codifying these changes, it will be difficult to hold us to certain standards,” he warned. “Occasionally we may falter, but many times I hope we exceed those standards.”
Pate paid special tribute to the National Coordinator of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme, led by Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq and the development partners who contributed to the new instruments. He took personal responsibility for any gaps or errors in the documents, calling on states to adopt, display and use them actively rather than leave them on shelves.
“I invite all states to take these tools as reference materials,” he urged. “Use what is usable, and if there are errors, circle back so we can improve them. These documents must guide our conversations as we head into the National Council on Health.”
As he moved to the Golden Table for the formal launch, Pate’s message was clear: Nigeria’s health sector is entering a new era, one anchored in evidence, discipline, transparency and relentless pursuit of results.
The ceremony marked one of the most decisive moments of the 2025 JAR, setting the stage for what officials describe as the beginning of a massive, accountability, driven push to reshape healthcare delivery across the country.
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