Nigeria has inaugurated a high-level inter-ministerial platform on family planning, health, human capital, and sustainable national development, in a move aimed at improving coordination among government institutions and development partners.
The inauguration took place on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, with key stakeholders from government and non-governmental organizations in attendance.
The event, which began at about 10:15 a.m., was moderated by veteran broadcaster and health correspondent Chief Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, who served as the master of ceremonies. Participants included representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies; development partners; civil society organizations; and other stakeholders whose work contributes to health and human capital development in Nigeria.
The platform was inaugurated under the theme, “Strengthening Multi-sectoral Collaboration for Human Capital Development and Sustainable National Development.” It is designed to provide a practical framework for ministries, departments, agencies, and partners to work together, share responsibilities, coordinate resources, and regularly follow up on agreed actions aimed at improving Nigeria’s health system and reproductive health outcomes.
Delivering the keynote address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, said the platform reflects the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a prosperous, peaceful, people-oriented, and productive Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of investing in people, noting that the country’s greatest asset is its human capital rather than its mineral resources.
Prof. Pate also announced that Nigeria is working towards establishing a pharmaceutical entity capable of producing family planning commodities locally. He described the initiative as a major development that would strengthen access to family planning commodities and position Nigeria as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to have such capacity.
The core government members of the platform include the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Budget and Economic Planning, Finance, Women Affairs, Education and Youth Development, as well as the National Population Commission, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and National Health Insurance Authority.
The platform will be led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with relevant government institutions and partners. It is expected to translate agreed-upon plans into practical actions that will improve health outcomes, strengthen reproductive health services, and contribute to human capital development in Nigeria.
Raymond Ken-Mbata reporting for Health Pharm Media
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