Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday called for collaborative efforts to subdue global health challenges, through domestic reforms, and strategic investments.
At the 15th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting held in the South American nation of Brazil, and emphasizing the importance of global solidarity in fighting the complex and interconnected threats facing public health systems including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), pandemics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate change, and dwindling health funding, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako said a more equitable world will be reached when stronger ties are built to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In a press statement issued by the health ministry on Wednesday, Dr. Salako said Nigeria being a “proud BRICS partner and contributor to the new thinking needed in today’s changing health landscape”, has implemented its Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the operational arm of the country’s Renewed Hope Agenda.According to the Minister, Nigeria is increasing domestic resource mobilization and enhancing its pharmaceutical and diagnostic production capacity. This includes revitalizing primary healthcare, promoting pooled procurement mechanisms, and scaling digital health and artificial intelligence tools across the system.
The statement said one of the standout achievements mentioned at the meeting in Brasilia was Nigeria’s HPV vaccination campaign. Over 14 million girls aged 9–14 were vaccinated by May 2025, the highest number achieved globally in a single round, according to the Minister.
Also, in response to a decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA), the Minister said Nigeria committed an additional $200 million in its 2025 budget to sustain its AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria programs.
“Nigeria is addressing the social determinants of health and introducing policies to reduce the modifiable risk factors of non-communicable diseases. Our collective efforts will serve as an impetus to achieve SDG Goal 3 ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all without leaving anyone behind.
“In the context of our shared humanity, we must act together. Humanity is one”, Dr. Salako concluded.
Nigeria aims to host the next high-level ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance in June 2026 in Abuja, and expects in-depth partnerships with BRICS nations on pharmaceutical innovation, biomedical research, phytomedicine development, and academic exchange programs.