President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday charged traditional rulers and religious leaders nationwide to spearhead Nigeria’s health reforms, insisting their grassroots clout is indispensable.
Speaking at the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health in Abuja, themed “The Role of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Advancing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” he stressed their pivotal role as trusted intermediaries.
“No health reform in Nigeria can succeed without you. You are trusted voices bridging the government and the people, interpreting national policy and serving as moral anchors,” he declared at the State House Conference Centre, where monarchs, clergy, imams and other leaders from Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT were in attendance.
Tinubu launched the second cohort of 774 National Health Fellows—one from each local government area—to boost frontline health operations, while committing to career opportunities for the outgoing first group.
“To the fellows of Cohort One, I want to reaffirm the promise, we are working to secure your career paths through federal structure and support from development partner. I thank you on behalf of a grateful nation,” he said, noting that the Coordinating Minister of Health had urged states to host their graduations.
The President laid out three focus areas for leaders’ involvement: maternal and newborn health; immunisation and epidemics; and nutrition and food security.
“Far too many mothers and newborns die from preventable causes,” he noted. On immunisation, he added: “Communities listen to you before they listen to the government, and you are often the detectors and responders of any epidemic.”
On food security, Tinubu said: “You can impact household daily decisions, rally the community to participate in social actions to avert food insecurity and ensure that support reaches the people who need it most.”
He called on monarchs to oversee primary healthcare centres, demanding accountability from officials: “Check the ones in your area. Send a message out there to look at that neighbourhood health facility, and if they don’t exist, write to the local government, write to the state government, write to us, we will respond. If we don’t do it now, nobody will do it for us.”
Tinubu framed the summit as forging “a new national alliance for health”, telling leaders: “The war against preventable diseases is the responsibility of all of us, and I’m here as a leader to respectfully say that the responsibility is yours as the traditional leader.”
To the new fellows, he said: “You are the driving force that traditional and religious leaders will count on to fulfil the commitment they make today. Bring structure where systems are weak, data where decisions lack clarity, and energy where communities seek hope. You are the youthful force behind Nigeria’s health transformation.”
The programme, he added, signals “a new Nigeria where talent and competence help you reach your full potential”, with youth energy fuelling renewal for “dignity, purpose and pathway to leadership”.
Tinubu also touched on security, assuring: “The challenge of banditry and terrorism will be defeated. With your cooperation, we are working around the clock, engaging all possible partnerships. We will win the battle.”
Coordinating Minister of Health, Ali Pate, unveiled the Aso Rock Declaration on Health 2026, committing leaders to immunisation, HIV/TB/malaria efforts, maternal care, nutrition via food banks, and support for health workers and fellows. It urges upgrades to primary health centres, multi-sector action on water, sanitation and girl‑child education, annual summits, and a new national liaison for leaders.
Pate hailed Tinubu for unifying Nigeria via health under the Renewed Hope Agenda: “The breadth of this country, the diversity of this country, is all coming together across all fault lines to talk about something that is common to us, which is health.” He presented the 2025 State of Health report as a progress “report card”.
CAN President, Rev Daniel Okoh, praised the focus: “A government that wants to succeed must be closer to the people, and a government that will succeed is the one that listens to the people and addresses the concerns of the people.” He lauded Pate’s dedication and pledged: “Together, with sincerity of purpose and unity of action, we can build a healthier Nigeria where every child lives, every mother thrives and every community is empowered.”
NSCIA Deputy President-General (South), Rasaki Oladejo, affirmed: “Islam teaches us that protecting life is a sacred duty. Therefore, supporting healthcare is not only a government responsibility but also a religious and moral responsibility for all of us.” He backed the Nigeria–US MOU on HIV/TB/malaria: “With assurance of inclusivity, we shall not hesitate to support the implementation of the MOU between Nigeria and the United States of America.”
A message from Bishop Hassan Kukah, conveyed via Rev Father Maurice, recalled Catholic support during COVID‑19: “The Catholic Bishops placed its entire health facilities of over 500 hospitals and clinics at the disposal of the nation for free. Our hands of solidarity are still stretched.”
The event culminated in the “Crowning the Compact” signing, marking the first major such engagement since health reforms began two years ago.
THE SUN
