Africa CDC Lauds Nigeria’s Health Reform Model, Taps It for G20 Pilot
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has praised Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms, signaling that the country’s new model is positioning it as a continental health leader.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa CDC, made the commendation at the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector in Abuja, themed “All hands, one mission: Bringing Nigeria’s health sector to light.”
Dr. Kaseya emphasized the meeting’s critical importance not just for Nigeria, but for the entire African continent. He noted that Nigeria’s healthcare reform model provides a practical pathway for strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.
“For the next review, I will request the permission of the Minister and the Nigerian people to invite some of your brothers and sisters from Africa to come, sit with you, and learn from you. We come here to tell you, you are on the right track, and we support your approach.”
The Africa CDC DG announced that Nigeria will be among the few pilot countries selected for integrated health financing under the G20 partnership, underscoring its growing importance in global health strategy.
Dr. Kaseya stressed that reducing high out-of-pocket (OOP) health costs must be a continental priority. He argued that Nigeria’s strategy provides a sustainable model, as no country can address catastrophic health payments solely through donor aid (Official Development Assistance or ODA). He pointed out that over 20 African nations depend on ODA for more than 30% of their healthcare spending, with some fragile states relying on it for over 60%.
He insisted on the necessity of universal health coverage: “If Nigeria can cut out-of-pocket expenditure by 88 per cent, the world will be glad. You do it by building strong national health insurance systems and investing in sustainable domestic financing… You cannot deal with out-of-pocket payments through ODA. You deal with it by putting in place a national health insurance scheme.”
Dr. Kaseya also acknowledged Nigeria’s renewed focus on local pharmaceutical production, stressing that homegrown investment is crucial for strengthening African health security.
He was impressed by private sector involvement, specifically mentioning the work of Aliko Dangote in local production.
He credited Nigeria’s progress to evidence-based policy, strong political will, and strategic partnerships, noting that initiatives like the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), the Compact with state governments, and expanded private sector involvement have successfully improved efficiency, boosted domestic resource mobilization, and increased healthcare coverage for Nigerians.
