BY THE COORDINATING MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE, PROFESSOR MUHAMMAD ALI PATE
AT THE NATIONAL TRADITIONAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS SUMMIT ON HEALTH 2026
State House Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja
Your Excellency,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
Your Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Chief of Staff to the President,
Honourable Ministers,
Our Royal Fathers and Religious Leaders,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our National Health Fellows,
Let me begin by expressing appreciation to Your Excellency for directing the convening of this dialogue between traditional and religious leaders and the health sector. The objective was clear: to review progress made, assess outstanding challenges, and strengthen collective resolve to advance the health and well-being of Nigerians.
Your Excellency, we have carried out that directive.
This Summit has also demonstrated the wisdom of positioning the health and social sector as a unifying platform within the Renewed Hope Agenda. Across Nigeria’s diversity of cultures, faiths and regions, health provides common ground. Over the past three years, reform in this sector has not only addressed clinical needs but has sought to rebuild systems, restore confidence, and strengthen national cohesion.
Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, graciously opened the Summit. Deliberations covered progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, expansion of primary health care, training of frontline health workers, ongoing strengthening of hospital capacity across the geopolitical zones, nutrition interventions including the National Community Food Bank Programme, immunization performance, multiple micronutrient supplementation, cancer infrastructure development, and other priority areas.
The discussions were anchored on evidence. We utilized the 2025 State of the Health of the Nation Report, following the precedent set in 2024 when we presented our report card covering progress from 2023 to 2024. The 2025 report reflects coordinated effort across the Federal Government, states, local governments, the private sector, civil society, and traditional and religious institutions.
This is a shared national undertaking.
In summarizing the outcomes of this Summit, I present the proposed 2026 Aso Rock Declaration on Health.
We, the participants at the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, convened at the State House Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on 17 February 2026 at the invitation of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having deliberated on the state of Nigeria’s health sector and our collective responsibilities as leaders of our communities, hereby declare as follows:
Whereas His Excellency unveiled the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative on 12 December 2023, following the signing of the Health Sector Compact, and subsequently the expanded Compact in 2025, demonstrating sustained political commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage;
Whereas measurable progress is being recorded in key health indicators, while recognizing that sustained and accelerated effort remains necessary, particularly in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition;
We therefore:
Commend the Federal and State Governments for implementing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and strengthening the Health Sector Compact.
Affirm the indispensable role of traditional and religious leaders and institutions in advancing health reform and national development.
Commit to actively support and promote access to essential health services within our communities, including immunization; prevention and treatment of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; maternal and newborn care; emergency obstetric services; and nutrition interventions, including support for the National Community Food Bank Programme.
Welcome and pledge robust support for frontline health workers and the National Health Fellows deployed to communities, ensuring their integration and effectiveness.
Advocate for the upgrading and accreditation of primary health care facilities and commit to supporting community-level demand generation and monitoring of service quality.
Encourage multisectoral action addressing the social determinants of health, including nutrition, clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and the education of the girl child.
Support the integration of accredited civil society and faith-based health facilities into local health systems and referral networks to expand equitable access to quality care without exclusion.
Commit to fostering community participation in public health security by strengthening disease surveillance, promoting preventive measures, and mobilizing rapid and effective outbreak response.
Encourage expanded participation in health insurance schemes to mobilize sustainable domestic financing for health.
Promote climate-resilient health practices and environmentally sustainable health facilities prepared for the health impacts of climate change.
Call upon the Federal Government to designate a dedicated liaison officer within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to coordinate structured and sustained engagement with traditional and religious leaders nationally, building upon existing platforms including the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee, which has operated for seventeen years.
Recommend that the National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health be convened annually to review progress, renew commitments, and sustain momentum.
Your Excellency, this Declaration captures the substance of our dialogue and the commitments expressed by leaders present today.
We reaffirm our collective commitment to the health and well-being of the Nigerian people and pledge to work in close partnership with all levels of government and stakeholders to build a healthier and more prosperous nation in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
I am honoured to formally present the 2025 State of the Health of the Nation Report.
Thank you, Your Excellency.
