The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in public health reforms at the 2025 Abbott Infectious Disease Summit, which commenced in Abuja.
Declaring the summit open on behalf of the Coordinating Minister, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, the Permanent Secretary, Kachollom Daju, emphasised the urgency of regional collaboration to scale up diagnostics, support local manufacturing, and eliminate infectious diseases across Central, West, and East Africa.
PRESS RELEASE
Abuja, Nigeria | June 17, 2025
REFORMING HEALTH, RESTORING HOPE: NIGERIA CHAMPIONS REGIONAL DRIVE FOR DIAGNOSTIC INNOVATION AND LOCAL MANUFACTURINGThe Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in public health transformation… pic.twitter.com/YanwYLHwt8
— Federal Ministry of Health, NIGERIA (@Fmohnigeria) June 17, 2025
“Diseases like HIV, TB, malaria, and viral hepatitis remain major threats. Rapid, decentralised diagnostics—especially Point-of-Care testing—are not just innovations; they are lifelines,” Daju noted.
She added that the summit’s objectives align with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to strengthening health systems.
Daju commended Abbott Rapid Diagnostics for organising the three-day event, which brought together public health leaders, global experts, and development partners dedicated to building a resilient and healthier Africa.
Also speaking, Senator Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, underscored the importance of accelerating the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.
She also revealed recent amendments to the NCDC Act, enhancing Nigeria’s disease surveillance capacity.
Aziz Abdi, Regional General Manager for Central and West Africa at Abbott, noted that Nigeria bears nearly half of the region’s HIV burden, while commending government efforts to expand testing and promote health equity.
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Dr Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP), disclosed that Nigeria has increased treatment coverage for HIV, TB, and malaria to 60%, alongside a significant drop in mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence local production of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) — a major milestone in Nigeria’s health industrialisation.
Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, stressed that local diagnostic manufacturing would boost lab capacity and help Nigeria achieve zero new HIV infections by 2030.
Representatives from WHO, SFH, CHAI, and the Institute of Human Virology reiterated their support for integrated programming, collaborative action, and peer learning to tackle Africa’s infectious disease challenges.
As the summit continues, participants are urged to pursue inclusive, actionable, and sustainable strategies for strengthening Africa’s health security.
“The time to act is now. Through innovation and collaboration, we can build a healthier, self-reliant Africa,” read Prof Pate’s message to attendees.