The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms with the presentation of its 2026–2027 Programme Budget Workplan to the Federal Government.
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Pavel Ursu, presented the workplan to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, during a high-level engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration between the organisation and Nigeria’s health sector.
The workplan is aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Reform and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2023–2027), and the organisation’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14).
According to WHO, the 2026–2027 framework is designed to deliver measurable impact across critical health priorities, including primary healthcare and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), routine immunisation and polio transition, health security and International Health Regulations (IHR) 7-1-7 capacity, equity and quality of healthcare services, as well as digital health systems.
The organisation said the framework would also deepen alignment with Nigeria’s national health priorities while ensuring regular monitoring through quarterly implementation updates and performance reports.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Pate commended WHO for what he described as its transparent and collaborative approach in planning and implementing health interventions in Nigeria.
According to the minister, the engagement gives the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare greater visibility, ownership and accountability over WHO-supported programmes in the country.
The discussions also focused on Nigeria’s participation at the forthcoming 79th World Health Assembly, WHO’s strategy to strengthen subnational healthcare delivery amid changing global resource realities, and preparations for the 5th High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance scheduled for June 29–30, 2026, in Abuja.
WHO and the Federal Government reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through reforms, improved service delivery and resilient health structures capable of meeting the needs of citizens across the country.
