Nigeria Launches Plan for 2 Million Community Health Workers

Nigeria hosted the official launch of the Community Health Programme Continental Acceleration Plan 2026–2030, an initiative involving 51 African countries and over 30 partners, targeting the employment of two million community health workers by 2030. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, launched the Plan, which aims to enhance primary healthcare delivery and access to essential health services.

Shettima highlighted the importance of community health workers in achieving universal health coverage and called for their legal recognition and support. Nigeria needs approximately 315,000 community health workers by 2030, with the Federal Government committed to employing 100,000 salaried workers by 2028.

The Africa CDC noted that achieving the two-million-worker goal requires US$4.3 billion annually, with Nigeria's commitment seen as a significant contribution. The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, praised the initiative for its potential to strengthen community health systems across Africa.