FG DEEPENS IT’S COLLABORATION WITH BRAZIL AS PART OF RENEWED PUSH TO REFORM THE COUNTRY ’S HEALTH SECTOR 26-06-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal Government of Nigeria has deepened its collaboration with Brazil as part of a renewed push to reform the country’s health sector.
This development was announced during the 2nd Session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, held in Abuja, where key areas of partnership were discussed, including pharmaceutical production, digital health, and workforce training.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, highlighted that the partnership reflects President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes universal health coverage, improved access, and modernized service delivery. The collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and marks a significant step in health diplomacy.
Among the central pillars of the partnership is pharmaceutical manufacturing. Nigeria will engage Brazilian pharmaceutical firms to expand local production of drugs and vaccines, leveraging Brazil’s success in generic medicine policies and biomedical innovation.
The pact also focuses on strengthening digital health infrastructure. Brazil’s experience in data systems and health surveillance will support Nigeria’s efforts to enhance disease tracking and build a resilient digital framework for public health services.
Another vital component is human resource development. Structured exchange programs will allow Nigerian doctors, nurses, and public health workers to undergo specialized training in Brazil, particularly in its family health and primary care systems. Nigeria also plans to pilot Brazil’s Family Health Teams model in select communities.
The agreement proposes a Five-Year Joint Action Plan and a dedicated Health Working Group to oversee progress in areas like vaccine development, disease prevention, and health research. Recent achievements in Nigeria’s health sector, such as primary healthcare revitalization, expansion of health insurance, and WHO prequalification of local medicines, provide a strong base for this collaboration.
Dr. Salako underscored that this partnership is more than diplomatic as it is a strategic alliance aimed at producing real outcomes, with growing investments in local manufacturing and data-driven service delivery, Nigeria is positioning this alliance with Brazil as a benchmark for sustainable, people-focused South-South cooperation.