Prof Ali Pate Leads Nigeria’s Delegation to 78th World Health Assembly, Strengthen Global Health Cooperation

"Nigeria’s participation is expected to provide valuable insights to inform policy review, planning, and implementation, while reinforcing alignment with global best practices. The delegation will engage in high-level discussions and contribute to agenda items of particular significance to Nigeria and the African region."

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate will lead Nigeria’s official delegation to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19 to 27 May 2025. 

According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the delegation comprises six senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

In addition to the government delegation, representatives from across Nigeria’s health ecosystem including the private sector, development partners, and donor agencies will actively participate in technical sessions and side events. These engagements align with this year’s WHA theme, “One World for Health”, which underscores the importance of global solidarity in addressing shared health challenges and building resilient health systems.

The World Health Assembly which is convened annually by the World Health Organization (WHO), serves as a premier platform for shaping international health policy and advancing global health priorities. 

Member States will deliberate on critical issues such as sustainable health financing, workforce development, and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) all of which are central to Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms.

Nigeria’s participation is expected to provide valuable insights to inform policy review, planning, and implementation, while reinforcing alignment with global best practices. The delegation will engage in high-level discussions and contribute to agenda items of particular significance to Nigeria and the African region.

Key Topics Nigeria Will Engage With:

* Commitment to Sustainable Healthcare Financing

* Strengthening Human Resources for Health

* Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Diabetes

* Nigeria’s Position Paper on Poliomyelitis Eradication

* Nigeria’s Position Paper on Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

* Nigeria’s Position Paper on Mental Health and Social Connection

* Nigeria’s Position Paper on the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination

* Advancing Oral Health

* Enhancing Local Production of Medicines and Health Technologies

* Addressing Skin Diseases and

* Adverse Cosmetic Events

As Nigeria advances implementation of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the outcomes of WHA78 are expected to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, deepen multilateral partnerships, and inform national strategies that enhance health security, equity, and service delivery.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Abuja.