Nigeria's Health Minister Calls for Innovation at Summit

On Wednesday, Iziak Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, called for a renewed commitment to health research and innovation at the 2026 Global Health Summit hosted by the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom. Salako emphasized the importance of focusing on equity in health systems, particularly in light of the vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health crises.

He noted that no nation can address the global health workforce crisis alone and stressed the need for a unified, data-driven strategy to improve Nigeria's health sector. Salako pointed out that the current global economic situation remains fragile, worsened by ongoing conflicts and high debt levels, which constrain investments in health infrastructure.

He highlighted that the 2026 World Economic Outlook predicts a slowdown in global growth, further complicating the ability to invest in health and education, which are critical for the well-being of the population.