The Federal Government has announced plans to convene the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders’ Summit on Health, a first-of-its-kind gathering aimed at deepening community engagement, accelerating health sector reforms, and improving healthcare outcomes nationwide.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja ahead of the summit scheduled for Monday, February 15.
According to Professor Pate, the summit will, for the first time, bring together traditional and religious leaders from across Nigeria at the national level to engage comprehensively on health reform efforts.
He explained that the initiative is part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader reform agenda focused on improving governance, service delivery, health security, and domestic health financing.
“The health outcomes we seek cannot be achieved by government alone,” Pate said. “They depend on community trust, leadership, and decisions made within households. Even when services are available, families must choose to use them.”
The Minister emphasized the influence of traditional and religious leaders in shaping public attitudes, mobilizing communities, and countering misinformation—particularly during vaccination drives and disease outbreaks.
He referenced Nigeria’s recent integrated measles and rubella vaccination campaign, which reached over 60 million children—the largest in Africa—as well as the successful rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. He noted that the active involvement of community and faith leaders significantly boosted coverage rates.
Beyond immunization, the summit will also address key health priorities, including maternal health, tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, nutrition, and overall health security.
In addition, the Federal Government plans to formally launch the second cohort of the National Health Fellows Programme during the summit. The initiative recruits young professionals from all local government areas to support healthcare delivery and reform implementation at the grassroots level.
Pate praised the first cohort, launched last year, describing their performance over the past 12 months as outstanding.
“We are proud of what they have achieved, and the next cohort will further strengthen grassroots engagement,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted a renewed Nigeria–United States Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on funding for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis programs, valued at nearly $2 billion over five years.
He explained that following changes in U.S. foreign aid policy in 2025, Nigeria engaged in discussions to reposition the partnership toward a more sustainable financing model. Under the agreement, U.S. support will continue during a five-year transition period, after which Nigeria is expected to fully assume funding responsibilities.
“We do not want Nigeria to rely on external aid indefinitely,” Pate stated. “The health of Nigerians is ultimately the responsibility of Nigerians. This partnership provides a structured transition while we strengthen domestic financing.”
He noted that 10 percent of the U.S. funding under the agreement is earmarked for faith-based health facilities, acknowledging the significant role religious institutions play in healthcare delivery.
Addressing concerns about the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), the Minister revealed that quarterly allocations to primary healthcare facilities have been increased from ₦300,000 to ₦600,000 per facility to support operations, stipends, and essential medicines.
He added that healthcare service utilization has risen sharply—from fewer than 10 million visits in 2023 to nearly 45 million by 2025—reflecting improved collaboration between federal and state governments.
Professor Pate described the upcoming summit as an expansion of earlier initiatives, including the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care established in 2009, which played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts.
“This is the first time traditional leaders from both northern and southern Nigeria will come together nationally to focus on health,” he said. “It is about building a people-centered, community-driven, and sustainable health system.”
Development partners present at the briefing commended the Federal Government’s initiative and pledged support for the summit.
The government reiterated that sustainable health improvements would require collective efforts from all levels of government, the private sector, community leaders, and citizens.
“We are not yet where we want to be,” Pate said, “but by working together responsibly and collectively, we will get there.”
