ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has assured Nigerian health workers that ongoing discussions with stakeholders will address lingering welfare concerns in the health sector.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Prof. Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said the administration is committed to prioritising the welfare of health workers while upgrading the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
“There are issues we can resolve through negotiation, and we are intent, in good faith, to continue to find ways to resolve those outstanding issues with them over time,” Pate said.
“At the end of the day, the health workers are the lifeblood of the healthcare system, and the infrastructure and equipment we are providing have to be complemented by the health workers.”
Pate highlighted the government’s ongoing investments in tertiary health facilities, citing newly launched oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Maiduguri as examples of President Tinubu’s commitment to modernising the sector.
“We are seeing a revolution in terms of the infrastructure and equipment in federal tertiary institutions across our country,” he said.
“World-class infrastructure that this President has provided can attend to most kinds of cancers, and these are accompanied by human resources dedicated to cancer care.”
The minister also confirmed FEC’s approval for a major upgrade of the oncology centre at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, which will include a Linear Accelerator for advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, Pate noted that the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital recently commissioned over 10 new projects, including a neurology centre, stroke centre, heart centre, interventional radiology unit, and a revamped oncology facility, positioning it among the largest hospitals in West Africa.
Pate acknowledged that a circular from the Accrued Wages Commission had caused unrest among health professionals but said the government swiftly withdrew the directive.
“This is a listening government. The circular was withdrawn, and now we are in the process of negotiating in a transparent manner the increment in allowances so that we meet those health workers on the needs that they have expressed,” he said.
He reaffirmed the centralisation of nurses’ postings to ensure fairness and equity while promising that the welfare of health workers will remain a top priority.
Pate urged health workers to focus on delivering quality healthcare while the government works on solutions.
“We must put the Nigerian people at the centre of our attention,” he said.
“President Tinubu’s directive is clear: health infrastructure and the workforce welfare must go hand in hand.”
