Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman, House Committee on Health of Nigeria,

Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health of Nigeria,

Honourable Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria,

Honourable Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria,

Dr Ishaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health,

Prof Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director

for Africa,

Dr Donald Kaberuka, AU Special Envoy to Mobilise

International Economic Support for Continental Fight

Against COVID-19,

Heads of Delegations, Partner Organisations, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, our Friends from the Media,

Good morning,

I bring you fraternal greetings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and extend our sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ably led by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the exemplary leadership and commitment to sustainable domestic health financing.

Allow me to briefly recall the Africa Health Strategy (2016–2030), which recognises that sustainable and predictable health financing is essential for building viable systems and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In February 2019, the African Union convened the African Leadership Meeting (ALM) on Investing in Health, bringing together Heads of State and Government, regional and global leaders. This meeting culminated in the landmark Addis Ababa Commitment towards Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for Increased Health Financing, now widely known as the ALM Declaration.

At the heart of this Declaration are three commitments:

• Increasing domestic resources for health;
• Sustaining dialogue between Ministers of Health and Finance; and
• Aligning partner and private sector investments with continental priorities.

Since its launch, National Dialogues on Health Financing have become evidence-based platforms for consensus-building and reform. Nine countries — have already advanced substantive implementation of the ALM Declaration, with eleven additional dialogues across SADC and EAC regions.

Today, Nigeria becomes the first West African nation to host such a dialogue — a milestone that comes at a time of shifting global financing, climate pressures and growing humanitarian crises. These converging challenges are not only a threat to millions of lives but also a wake-up call after COVID-19, for Africa to recalibrate and invest in resilient, long-term systems.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is time for Africa to prioritise its own health security, using its abundant resources. Robust health systems, backed by a strong African Medicines Agency and effective regulatory frameworks, will be our foundation against future pandemics, floods and droughts.

Amid today’s financing constraints, Nigeria has charted a bold path — approving $1.7 billion for the HOPE Projects to strengthen governance, expand primary health care and improve nationwide service delivery. This decision reflects vision and courage. Allow me to echo the words of Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba: “If Nigeria gets it right, Africa will get it right.” Indeed, Nigeria’s leadership is critical and we look to you not to disappoint Africa.

This Dialogue’s framing of health financing as a sovereign, economic and investment agenda, is timely and necessary. It echoes the 2001 Abuja Declaration and the 2013 Abuja+12 Declaration, which committed Member States to allocating at least 15% of national budgets to health. May this convening rekindle political will across the continent and inspire those lagging to honour this profound commitment.

Domestic health financing is not only a public good but a catalyst for peace, security and sustainable development. It is the surest path to realising Agenda 2063 — The Africa We Want.

The year 2025 presents Africa with a unique chance for influence. Under the South African G20 Presidency, the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” calls us to promote health equity and Universal Health Coverage globally. The upcoming G20 Health Ministerial Meeting in South Africa will further elevate Africa’s voice and align with the AU’s 2025 theme of “Health Justice”.

This is a moment to insist on global collaboration under African leadership. Together with our partners, we can reframe health financing as an African-led agenda, rooted in domestic commitment but supported by global solidarity.

Conclusion

As I conclude, let me commend Nigeria once again for hosting this important dialogue and thank our partners for walking with us differently, within African-led frameworks, co-creating a new health financing architecture where ownership lies with Africa and is reinforced by partnership.

Let today’s deliberations be future-ready, anchored in strong domestic commitment, with no eyes fixed on aid or external saviours. Together, we shall build a healthy, resilient Africa where no one is left behind.

I thank you.