WHO's Next Leader Can Learn from Nigeria's Health Reforms

The article outlines the lessons that the next director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) can learn from Nigeria's health reforms. It highlights the challenges faced by WHO, including funding cuts and the need for effective coordination among public authorities and partners to ensure that health plans are financed and delivered effectively.

Nigeria's approach includes a sector-wide strategy that assigns responsibilities to federal, state, and local authorities, as well as civil society. By October 2026, Nigeria reported that 80,000 women had received emergency maternal care, with over 23 million people benefiting from health services.

The article emphasizes the importance of accountability in health funding, suggesting that WHO can assist countries in implementing comparable measures and independent scrutiny. The WHO's World Health Assembly (WHA79) adopted a resolution encouraging health ministers to engage with finance and planning authorities to ensure measurable investments in health systems.