Nigeria's Health Minister Calls for $1M Funding for NTDs

The Nigerian federal government has called on states to increase domestic financing for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), aiming to mobilize $1 million in local resources to unlock approximately $7 million from the Reaching the Last Mile Fund for the national programme in 2027. Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this appeal on Wednesday at the 2026 Annual High-Level Advocacy Meeting on NTDs in Abuja.

He urged state governments to establish dedicated budget lines for NTDs, increase allocations, and ensure timely release of approved funds. Salako noted that while some states had made progress in establishing budget lines, more action was needed to translate commitments into interventions.

He highlighted the significant public health challenges posed by NTDs, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The minister emphasized that the federal government cannot tackle these diseases alone and called for stronger accountability in financing NTD interventions.