Nigeria Government has called for stronger collaboration, increased private sector investment, and financially viable proposals to enhance blood services across the country.
Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Value Chain, made the appeal during a visit to the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) in Abuja.
He described the NBSA as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, stressing the need to prioritise access to a safe, efficient, and reliable blood supply nationwide.
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He said “there is no functioning health system without a dependable blood service.
“From maternal care to surgery, oncology to emergency response, the availability and quality of blood products play a life-saving role.
“The Government is committed to strengthening this vital sector through policy support and public-private collaboration.”
He underscored President Bola Tinubu’s administration resolve to create an enabling environment that encourages investment, local innovation, and expansion of blood service infrastructure.
He, therefore, urged the NBSA to develop and submit finance-driven proposals and scalable interventions that can attract sustainable funding and deliver measurable value to Nigeria’s health ecosystem.
“The NBSA is encouraged to bring forward transformative initiatives that are not only financially viable but capable of catalyzing long-term impact especially those that promote efficiency, sustainability and technology-driven service delivery,” he said.
Responding, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director General, NBSA, reiterated the agency’s vision of a modernised, self-sustaining system anchored on innovation, accessibility and quality assurance.
“We are working to expand plasma production capabilities, improve nationwide access to safe blood and deepen public-private partnerships.
“This will enable local production of vital consumables moving Nigeria away from costly import dependency,’ he said.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government and the National Assembly to strengthen the NBSA’s regulatory framework.
According to him, providing legislative backing will empower the agency to enforce standards and ensure compliance across the blood value chain.
“We cannot achieve national blood safety and efficiency without the full force of legal authority.
“Strengthening our regulatory mandate is essential for oversight, quality control, and the ethical administration of blood services nationwide,” he said.
Yuguda, highlighted NBSA’s continued engagement in life-saving crowd-funded interventions and public awareness campaigns that promote voluntary blood donation and health equity.