‘The gains are fragile,’ Adewole urges Nigeria to invest more in health

Former Minister of Health and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Canada, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has warned that decades of progress in global and national health could be reversed unless governments invest more in resilient health systems and domestic health financing. Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the 25th anniversary celebration of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Adewole said […]

Former Minister of Health and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Canada, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has warned that decades of progress in global and national health could be reversed unless governments invest more in resilient health systems and domestic health financing.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the 25th anniversary celebration of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Adewole said the world had witnessed historic improvements in life expectancy, maternal and child survival, and access to healthcare over the last quarter-century, but cautioned that those gains remain vulnerable.

“The gains are fragile and uneven. Global uncertainty is our new normal, not a temporary phase,” he said.

Adewole called for stronger primary healthcare systems, universal health coverage, improved governance, and greater investment in health workers, technology, and disease prevention.

He expressed concern over Nigeria’s low health spending, noting that only about 3.9 per cent of GDP is allocated to health, below the recommended global benchmark.

“We must put more money into health, and all of us must keep saying this,” he said.

The former minister also lamented the growing exodus of Nigerian healthcare professionals, revealing that more than 16,000 doctors have left the country in the last five to seven years.

“Medical brain drain has become a major issue,” he warned.

Drawing from his experience in government, Adewole recounted how economic arguments helped secure support for health investments, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

He recalled a conversation with a senior government official who argued that Nigeria should not depend indefinitely on external support.

“We should not allow the health of our people to be left at the mercy of foreigners,” Adewole quoted the advocate as saying.

He stressed that policymakers often respond more readily to evidence of economic returns than to warnings about disease and death.

“It is not enough to say people will die,” he said. “When you show leaders the return on investment, minds change.”

Adewole urged stakeholders to build coalitions, strengthen community trust, and protect hard-won health gains through sustained domestic investment.

In a message to the next generation of public health leaders, he challenged institutions such as APIN to expand their vision and influence.

“Keep the flag flying and pass the baton to the next generation. Do not let it drop,” he said.

Congratulating APIN on its 25 years of service, Adewole said the future of public health would depend on resilience, innovation, equity, and long-term partnerships.

“The window to lock in and extend these gains is open now—before the next crisis.”

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Prof. Prosper Okonkwo, reflected on the organisation’s 25-year journey from an HIV-focused intervention to one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous public health institutions.

He paid tribute to APIN’s development partners, government agencies, healthcare workers, community organisations, and beneficiaries for helping to sustain the organisation’s impact over the years.

“We are deeply grateful to our funders, particularly the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for their unwavering confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality programmes,” Okonkwo said.

He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), state ministries of health, and other government institutions that have provided an enabling environment for APIN’s work.

Okonkwo reserved special appreciation for the communities and client groups served by the organisation, including networks of people living with HIV and youth groups, describing them as the driving force behind APIN’s mission.

“Your trust, advocacy and partnership have shaped every meaningful decision we have made. You are the reason that this work exists,” he said.