Nigeria to lead global health system reform
The World Health Organisation says Nigeria can accelerate its own progress and demonstrate country-led transformation.
Nigeria is set to play a leading role in transforming the global health system, following a Member State-led process initiated by the 79th World Health Assembly in May 2026. This initiative, hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), aims to create a more coherent, country-led system with clear mandates and financing aligned with national priorities, involving UN agencies, Gavi, the Global Fund, the Pandemic Fund, and the World Bank.
Dr. Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative to Nigeria, stated that the global health architecture reform itself will not immediately change health outcomes for Nigerians, but its success depends on strengthening primary healthcare, supply chains, surveillance, and equipping health workers. He emphasized that countries can accelerate progress by investing domestic resources through national plans and strengthening accountability, citing Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and Sector-Wide Approach as existing foundations.
Reform options will be presented to governing boards between late 2026 and February 2027, with recommendations to the World Health Assembly in May 2027, aligning with the UN80 reform and Africa’s Accra Reset promoting health sovereignty. Ursu noted that Nigeria has an opportunity to demonstrate what country-led transformation can achieve through initiatives like the Joint Annual Review and quarterly performance reviews to identify and correct bottlenecks.
Why it mattersNigeria's health sector reforms aim to strengthen services for citizens, with reform options to be presented by February 2027.