The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Director of Nutrition, Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, have been named on the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Health list.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Alaba Balogun.
Backed by the visionary and bold leadership of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT), GCFR, I am deeply honored to share that Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reform, under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (#NHSRII) has received global recognition, as I… pic.twitter.com/GizkXrabNz
— Muhammad Ali Pate (@muhammadpate) May 8, 2025
The TIME100 Health list, curated by TIME Magazine, celebrates 100 of the world’s most influential figures in global health — individuals who are revolutionising health systems, advancing medical innovation, and improving lives through impactful leadership and policy.
According to the statement, the inclusion of two Nigerians from the Federal Ministry of Health reflects the country’s growing prominence in shaping global health agendas.
Recognising Visionary Leadership
Prof Pate was recognised for his decades-long dedication to health equity, system reform, and primary healthcare revitalisation.
His leadership, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is credited with spearheading historic reforms in Nigeria’s health sector.
Among his notable achievements:
- Launching the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, underpinned by a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) that promotes coordinated, impactful investment across stakeholders.
- Strengthening primary healthcare, expanding the community health workforce, and scaling up maternal, newborn, and child health services.
- Accelerating malaria elimination efforts, including the introduction of the malaria vaccine.
- Promoting local production of essential health commodities and enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s health workforce.
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Pioneering Nutrition Reforms
Mrs Bako-Aiyegbusi was honoured for her pioneering work in advancing national nutrition policies and multisectoral strategies to combat malnutrition.
She has led critical initiatives, including:
- Implementation of the National Nutrition Policy, aimed at improving outcomes across all demographics.
- Rollout of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) programme, providing pregnant women with 15 essential vitamins and minerals to combat anaemia and improve pregnancy outcomes.
- Expansion of large-scale food fortification programmes to address micronutrient deficiencies.
- Advocacy for nutrition-sensitive, gender-responsive social protection policies that tackle the root causes of malnutrition.
Global Impact, Local Commitment
The statement noted that the TIME100 recognition affirms Nigeria’s strategic leadership in health system reform and nutrition governance, positioning the country as a critical player in shaping the future of global health.
The full TIME100 Health list, including tributes to each honouree, will be published in the 26 May 2025 issue of TIME Magazine, available in print from 16 May, and online at time.com/time100health.
NAN
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