Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON will lead Nigeria’s official delegation to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19 to 27 May 2025. The delegation comprises six senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This was contained in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations.
In addition to the government delegation, representatives from across Nigeria’s health ecosystem including the private sector, development partners, and donor agencies, will actively participate in technical sessions and side events. These engagements align with this year’s WHA theme, “One World for
Health,” which underscores the importance of global solidarity in addressing shared health challenges and building resilient health systems.
Convened annually by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Health Assembly serves as a premier platform for shaping international health policy and advancing global health priorities. Member States will deliberate on critical issues such as sustainable health financing, workforce development, and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), all of which are central to Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms.
Nigeria’s participation is expected to provide valuable insights to inform policy review, planning, and implementation while reinforcing alignment with global best practices. The delegation will engage in high-level discussions and contribute to agenda items of particular significance to Nigeria and the African region.
Key Topics Nigeria Will Engage With:
Commitment to Sustainable Healthcare Financing
Strengthening Human Resources for Health
Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Diabetes
Nigeria’s Position Paper on Poliomyelitis Eradication
Nigeria’s Position Paper on Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Nigeria’s Position Paper on Mental Health and Social Connection
Nigeria’s Position Paper on the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination
Advancing Oral Health
Enhancing Local Production of Medicines and Health Technologies
Addressing Skin Diseases and Adverse Cosmetic Events
As Nigeria advances implementation of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the outcomes of WHA78 are expected to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, deepen multilateral partnerships, and inform national strategies that enhance health security, equity, and service delivery.
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