Nigeria's Health Minister Advocates for Effective Health Promotion

On October 29, during the 2026 National Health Promotion Day in Abuja, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, underscored the significance of health promotion as a strategic investment in the health system. Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Pate highlighted the theme “Health Promotion: Owning My Health” and the slogan “Take Charge, Live Well.” He noted that achieving Universal Health Coverage requires prevention, early diagnosis, and informed health-seeking behavior.

Citing World Health Organisation estimates, he mentioned that Nigeria's healthy life expectancy at birth was 54.1 years in 2023. Pate reported a decline in under-five mortality from 132 to 110 deaths per 1,000 live births from 2018 to 2024, while neonatal mortality increased from 39 to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.

He called for improved health outcomes through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, focusing on maternal and child health, primary healthcare, and other key interventions. Pate emphasized measuring health promotion effectiveness by its impact on lives rather than the number of campaigns.