EU, UN deepen Nigeria partnership as Euro 475m projects target inclusive growth

By Admin 

 The European Union and the United Nations have reaffirmed their strategic partnership in Nigeria, with 475 million Euros in EU-funded projects being implemented by UN agencies to support development, humanitarian interventions, peace and security.

The commitment was renewed at an EU-UN strategic engagement in Abuja, where both organisations assessed opportunities for deeper cooperation amid mounting pressure on multilateralism and concerns over Nigeria’s economic recovery translating into improved living conditions.

Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said the ongoing EU-funded projects implemented by UN agencies in Nigeria, including regional initiatives managed from the country, covered 32 projects.

He said the engagement provided an opportunity for EU member states and UN agencies to strengthen relations, reaffirm support for the United Nations and identify areas for future cooperation.

Mignot stressed that defending multilateralism must go beyond preserving existing structures, noting growing calls for more inclusive representation, improved access to finance, climate resilience and measurable development outcomes.

He also called for UN reforms that would improve efficiency and delivery while strengthening representation, national ownership and the legitimacy of the multilateral system.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, described the EU and its member states as critical partners at a time when international solidarity and the founding principles of the United Nations face increasing pressure.

Fall said the dialogue reflected a shared commitment to strengthening consultations at both global and national levels.

On Nigeria’s economy, he acknowledged improvements in macroeconomic indicators, including broader economic growth in the first half of 2026, supported by agriculture and manufacturing, as well as a decline in inflation compared with early 2025.

He also cited improved fiscal revenues and increased allocations to states as opportunities to expand investment in development and public services.

However, Fall warned that the gains had yet to translate sufficiently into better living conditions for vulnerable households.

“The central challenge is to translate economic stabilisation into jobs, increased productivity, stronger public services and reduced poverty,” he said.

He said Nigeria’s natural resources, resilient population, private sector, creative industries and innovation ecosystem offered significant opportunities for growth, but stressed that these strengths must deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

Fall called for stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, productive private-sector investment, more effective institutions and greater investment in human capital, particularly among young people.

On humanitarian assistance, he said the UN was supporting Nigeria’s transition towards greater government leadership and domestic financing of humanitarian action, while cautioning against interpreting the shift as evidence that humanitarian needs had diminished.

“A humanitarian transition does not mean that humanitarian needs have disappeared,” he said, adding that the process should strengthen national systems and financing without compromising assistance and protection for vulnerable people.

Fall also highlighted the domestication of the Kampala Convention as an important legal foundation for protecting and assisting internally displaced persons, stressing the need for effective implementation.

The meeting brought together EU ambassadors and heads of UN agencies in Nigeria. The annual engagement mirrors high-level consultations between the UN Secretary-General and the President of the European Commission. The EU remains the leading donor to UN programmes in Nigeria.

Lagos releases directory of GBV coordinators in 36 states, FCT

By Admin 

The Lagos State Government has released a directory of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) coordinators across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to improve access to reporting, referral and support services for survivors.

The directory, released through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), contains contact details of state coordinators to help individuals and organisations connect with relevant authorities handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence.

The initiative follows a two-day National Convening of GBV State Coordinators hosted by Lagos State, with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II), funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

According to DSVA, the directory is intended to strengthen coordination and referral pathways among agencies and other stakeholders involved in preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

The agency urged government institutions, civil society organisations, community groups and members of the public to use and share the directory to improve access to appropriate services for survivors.

DSVA said it remained committed to strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and improving access to timely support for survivors across the country.

Pistis Foundation takes free medical outreach to Lagos after 10,292 interventions in Ibadan

By Admin

Pistis Foundation will take its UBOMI Medical and Surgical Outreach to Lagos from October 19 to 23, offering five days of free medical consultations, diagnostic tests, specialist care and surgical procedures to underserved residents.

The Lagos edition follows the programme's September 21 to 25 outreach in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 10,292 medical interventions were recorded among 3,611 beneficiaries.

The services provided in Ibadan included 2,515 laboratory tests and screenings, 2,121 medical consultations, 1,740 pharmacy interventions, 701 eye care services, 438 dental care services, 109 theatre surgeries and 100 eye surgeries, alongside health promotion activities and other interventions.

Executive Director of Pistis Foundation, Leonard F. Thomas, said the Lagos outreach was part of efforts to reduce financial barriers to essential healthcare.

“Healthcare should never be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. No one should have to endure pain, live with a treatable condition or forgo necessary medical attention simply because of financial limitations,” Thomas said.

He added that the Foundation was working to ensure that inability to pay did not prevent people from accessing quality medical and surgical care.

Board Chairman of Pistis Foundation and Senior Lead Pastor of The Elevation Church, Pastor Gorman Akinlabi, said the initiative reflected the organisation's commitment to improving community health and restoring dignity.

“At Pistis Foundation, we believe that meaningful impact is measured not only by the number of lives reached, but by the dignity restored and the lasting difference made in communities,” Akinlabi said.

He said the Foundation would continue to pursue partnerships and initiatives that improve wellbeing and expand access to essential services, expressing appreciation to medical professionals, volunteers, partners and supporters involved in the programme.

The Lagos outreach will offer general medical consultations, specialist care, laboratory investigations, dental services, eye examinations and glasses, surgical procedures, prescribed medications and other essential health services. Patients seeking surgery will undergo preliminary screening to determine their eligibility.

The programme will hold at Pistis Annex, No. 3 Remi Olowude Street, Eti-Osa, Lagos. Residents of underserved communities are encouraged to attend early, as services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. All services under the outreach will be free.

The 2026 campaign coincides with the 16th anniversary of The Elevation Church and the eighth anniversary of Pistis Foundation. According to the Foundation, its healthcare interventions through UBOMI have reached nearly 60,000 since the programme began.

UBOMI brings together medical professionals, technical partners and volunteers to provide healthcare services to people who might otherwise struggle to afford them.

The Foundation called on community leaders, partners, healthcare professionals and members of the public to help publicise the Lagos outreach to ensure that those most in need can access the services.

FG approves ₦40.8bn health allocation, extends insurance to 90,000 inmates

By Admin

The Federal Government has approved a ₦40.76 billion health funding package for the third quarter of 2026, combining a major financial boost for primary healthcare with the extension of national health insurance to nearly 90,000 prison inmates across Nigeria.

The new Q3 disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) marks an ₦7.88 billion increase over the ₦32.88 billion allocated in the previous quarter. This reflects a steady rise in monthly statutory funding into the primary healthcare network—growing from ₦8.95 billion to ₦20.43 billion—under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

Announcing the decisions in Abuja following the 16th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasised that increased funding is designed to deliver reliable, high-quality care to vulnerable and underserved populations.

 Pate said the aggressive strategy was to overhaul frontline services and ensure funding translates into actual clinical results for vulnerable citizens.

He said ​under the infrastructure rollout, the Federal Government will scale BHCPF support from 8,309 to 13,521 primary healthcare centers (PHCs)—adding 5,212 operational facilities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The total Q3 statutory release of ₦40.76 billion is being distributed across the four core gateway agencies based on their legal shares. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) receives the largest portion at ₦19.87 billion (48.75 percent) to fund coverage for vulnerable groups and the inmate extension. 

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) follows with ₦18.34 billion (45 percent) for frontline clinic operations and essential medical supplies. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) receives ₦2.04 billion (5 percent) for emergency transport services, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) gets ₦509.48 million (1.25 percent) to support disease outbreak responses.

To ensure essential medicines are consistently available at grassroots clinics, the MOC approved pooled procurement through MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation. This approach incorporates strict pricing benchmarks, value-for-money safeguards, and supply-chain monitoring to deliver quality-assured commodities without delays.

Following a direct request from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Committee approved extending health insurance to approximately 90,000 inmates nationwide through the NHIA. Implementation will follow strict reporting guidelines, and inmates already covered under existing state health schemes will be excluded to avoid duplication.

To ensure resources reach grassroots facilities efficiently, the Ministry is instituting tighter financial oversight and administrative reforms. A dedicated subcommittee has been established to investigate operational bottlenecks stalling the flow of funds through state treasuries, local governments, and frontline health centers, with a final report expected within six weeks.

At the same time, the Federal Government is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to track releases down to the facility level and prevent any diversion of funds.

Highlighting the need for state-level partnership, Pate commended the Katsina State government for releasing ₦243 million to its State Health Insurance Agency and urged remaining states and the FCT to fulfill their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act of 2014.

"The government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for. Increased financing must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management, and improved health outcomes, Pate noted."

Additionally, the MOC advanced a phased co-financing model to assist state governments in recruiting and permanently absorbing Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers, reinforcing Nigeria’s frontline healthcare workforce.

The Q3 disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) represents an ₦7.88 billion jump (24 percent) over the ₦32.88 billion allocated in Q2. It signals a dramatic acceleration in monthly statutory funding into Nigeria’s primary healthcare network, which has surged from ₦8.95 billion to ₦20.43 billion monthly under the government's Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

NAFDAC records 474 new cases, seals 179 establishments in eight-month crackdown

By Admin 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recorded 474 new enforcement cases, sealed 179 establishments and made 52 arrests between January and August 2026, raising questions about the scale of regulatory violations involving products consumed and used by Nigerians.

The agency’s eight-month enforcement report also listed 821 product seizure entries, 213 raids, 218 administrative sanctions and 22 product destruction exercises. Of the 474 new cases reported, 295 cases were concluded during the period.

Cosmetics accounted for the highest number of seizure entries at 401, followed by drinks with 215 and drugs with 112. Cosmetics were also linked to 64 establishment closures, while drinks featured in 67 raids.

The figures, compiled by NAFDAC’s Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement, cover food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, beverages and chemicals.

While the data highlight the scale of enforcement, the report did not specify how many of the concluded cases resulted in convictions, the financial value or physical quantities of products seized, or the identities of businesses sanctioned. These details would help the public assess the outcomes of the agency’s operations and the extent to which offenders were held accountable.

NAFDAC said its enforcement measures included surveillance, product sampling for laboratory analysis, interrogations and referrals for legal action where necessary.

The agency, led by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, pledged to sustain regulatory oversight and collaborate with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to curb the circulation of substandard, falsified and unsafe products.

It also urged manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to comply with regulatory requirements, while advising consumers to buy from reputable outlets and report suspected unsafe products through official channels.

With 474 new cases recorded in eight months, the disclosure of more detailed outcomes, including prosecutions, convictions, penalties and the status of pending investigations, would provide a clearer picture of whether enforcement is translating into lasting deterrence and stronger protection for public health.

Vanguard summit: Experts seek answers over implementation failure of Mental Health Act

By Sola Charles 

Nearly four years after Nigeria signed its Mental Health Act into law, experts have challenged the government to account for delays in implementation, inadequate funding and persistent barriers to treatment, warning that young Nigerians cannot benefit from legal protections that have yet to translate into accessible care.

The challenge came at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit, held on October 9, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, where specialists called for stronger community services, mental health support in schools and clear evidence that public commitments are producing results.

With the theme, “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” and sub-theme, “Mental Health in a Digital Age: Navigating Social Media, Technology and Wellbeing,” the meeting examined both the pressures confronting young people and the institutions responsible for responding to them.

Held ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, whose 2026 theme was “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” the summit stressed that people affected by mental health conditions must help shape policies and services.

A law, but where is the delivery?

Dr Veronica Oluyemisi Nyamali, president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, called for the establishment of mental health structures provided for under the Act, sustained funding, integration of mental healthcare into primary healthcare and trained mental health focal persons in schools.

Signed into law in January 2023, the Act replaced the colonial-era Lunacy Act of 1958 with a rights-based framework for mental healthcare. Its success, experts argued, must be measured by improved access to treatment, not simply by the existence of legislation.

Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh called for stronger community mental healthcare and greater attention to the social conditions that contribute to psychological distress. He said Nigeria needed what he described as “psychological infrastructure” to support wellbeing beyond hospital settings.

Digital risks, real responsibilities

The digital-age discussion examined the effects of cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, social comparison, body-image pressures and sleep disruption on young people.

Professor Mashudat Abiola Bello-Mojeed highlighted the need for parents, schools and technology companies to respond more effectively to online risks. Young people experiencing distress also need accessible counselling and referral services.

A panel session, “Who Takes Responsibility for Young People’s Mental Health?” examined the roles of government, schools, families, healthcare providers and technology companies.

The Nigerian Medical Association called for funding of the Mental Health Act, the National Mental Health Policy and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework. Its position was presented by Professor Olayinka Atilola on behalf of its president, Professor Afekhide Ernest Omoti. The association also advocated counselling and referral systems in schools and universities.

Its message, “Listen before you label,” urged people to recognise distress rather than dismiss it as indiscipline or attention-seeking.

From promises to measurable results

The central accountability question is whether government can demonstrate that the Act is being implemented.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should publish a time-bound implementation plan identifying responsible agencies, funding commitments, milestones and progress. Reports should distinguish between money budgeted, funds released and money spent, while explaining delays and corrective steps.

The National Assembly’s health committees should use budget scrutiny and public hearings to demand answers from federal agencies. State assemblies should similarly require their health ministries to report on mental health spending and services. State-by-state data on trained personnel, primary healthcare provision, essential medicines and school counselling would help citizens identify gaps and assess progress.

People with lived experience and civil society groups should also be able to assess whether policies are improving care. Accountability must be measured by results for patients and families, not the number of meetings held or commitments announced.

The summit also addressed substance use and suicide prevention. Dr Daniel Ikpechukwu advocated treatment, rehabilitation and recovery for young people affected by substance use, while Sheikh called for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide. Dr Olufemi Oluwatayo discussed transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, as a psychiatric treatment option.

These interventions can make a difference only if people can access appropriate care. In keeping with the World Mental Health Day call for “real voices, real change,” people with lived experience must help shape services and assess whether they meet real needs.

Nigeria has enacted the law. Government must now show where the money has gone, what services have been delivered and what will change where implementation has stalled. Without transparent reporting and sustained scrutiny, the Act risks remaining a promise rather than a protection.

64,500 Nigerians died from antimicrobial resistance -- Pate

As 264,300 other deaths linked to drug resistant infections

By Admin

An estimated 64,500 Nigerians died from causes directly attributable to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, while another 263,400 deaths were associated with drug resistant infections, raising concerns about the country's capacity to contain infections that no longer respond to treatment.

The figures, based on estimates published in The Lancet, were highlighted by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who described AMR as a “hidden pandemic” and acknowledged gaps in Nigeria's surveillance systems.

Pate spoke on Monday at a joint ministerial briefing in Abuja ahead of the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, scheduled for December 6 to 8. Nigeria will host the conference for the first time on African soil.

The challenge, he said, is already evident in hospitals, where patients with infections such as pneumonia may fail to respond to multiple antibiotics, prolonging illness and increasing the risk of complications or death.

“In some places, without proper knowledge of the sensitivity to the antimicrobial being used, individuals may suffer much longer than they should, and some may have complications or lose their lives,” he said.

Pate admitted that weaknesses in surveillance made it difficult to establish the full extent of AMR in Nigeria, underscoring the need for better diagnosis, infection prevention and responsible use of antibiotics.

The government, he said, is strengthening antimicrobial stewardship in federal hospitals, expanding diagnostic capacity and tightening regulation to curb counterfeit and substandard medicines. It is also seeking to increase local production of quality antimicrobials.

But Pate warned that inappropriate antibiotic use in livestock production could accelerate resistance and threaten human health, while agriculture, water, waste and other environmental systems contribute to its spread.

The ministers of health, agriculture, livestock development and environment are therefore pursuing a joint One Health approach, with plans for a coordination mechanism to continue beyond the December conference.

The meeting is expected to produce the proposed Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, backed by a tracking mechanism intended to measure progress and translate international commitments into practical action.

Globally, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019, while 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial resistance. Without effective intervention, more than 39 million deaths could be directly attributable to AMR worldwide between 2025 and 2050, the ministerial statement warned.

For Nigeria, the December conference presents an opportunity to move beyond declarations towards stronger surveillance, better antimicrobial use and measurable improvements in the prevention and treatment of resistant infections.

The conference theme is “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitments to Local Action.”