The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has revealed that an increasing number of patients from the United Kingdom, the United States, and the West African subregion are traveling to Nigeria to access high-quality healthcare services.
Speaking to State House correspondents on Tuesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Pate highlighted the growing confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system despite existing challenges.
“People are now beginning to come from the subregion, and even from faraway places like the UK and the US, to receive quality healthcare in Nigeria,” he stated. “Despite the challenges we face, significant progress is being made, and the transformation promised by President Tinubu is already taking shape.”
Major Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure
As part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system, the minister disclosed that the federal government has approved contracts aimed at equipping tertiary health facilities across the country. A major component of this investment includes the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines—advanced diagnostic equipment—at a total cost of N12 billion for six tertiary health institutions.
The benefiting institutions include:
• University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State
• Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State
• Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Osun State
• Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State
• Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Adamawa State
• Federal Teaching Hospital, Kebbi State
“This investment in critical diagnostic infrastructure is part of a broader effort to expand Nigeria’s health system capacity, ensuring that our tertiary institutions can offer world-class medical services,” Pate noted.
Strengthening Medical Regulation Across Africa
In a bid to further integrate Nigeria into the continental healthcare framework, Pate announced that the country has ratified the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty. The treaty, adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2019, aims to harmonise medical regulatory standards across Africa, ensuring access to safe, quality, and effective medical products.
“So far, 37 AU member states have signed the treaty, with 26 having ratified it. Today, the federal executive council directed that Nigeria take all necessary actions to give full effect to this treaty,” he said.
According to the minister, the ratification of the AMA Treaty will allow Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry to expand beyond national borders, ensuring that locally manufactured medical products meet international standards.
“What we produce here will not just be ‘Made in Nigeria,’ but over time, it will be recognised as ‘Made in Africa.’ This is a significant step towards self-sufficiency in medical products and pharmaceutical industrialisation,” he added.
Nigeria’s Growing Reputation in Global Healthcare
Pate expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to become a major player in the global healthcare sector, citing ongoing investments in infrastructure, human resources, and regulatory frameworks.
“We are investing in infrastructure, human resources, and regulatory frameworks to create a healthcare system that Nigerians can rely on and that attracts patients from across the globe,” he said.
The minister’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system into a destination for medical tourism, reducing the need for Nigerians to seek treatment abroad while also positioning the country as a hub for quality healthcare services in Africa.
