The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Platform on Family Planning, Health, Human Capital and National Development as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s rapidly growing population into a productive workforce capable of driving sustainable economic growth.

Meanwhile, in a major boost to Nigeria’s healthcare and manufacturing sector, a leading global pharmaceutical company, Bayer is to establish the first reproductive health commodities manufacturing plant in Sub-Saharan Africa in Nigeria.

The facility, currently under construction in Anambra State, is expected to produce family planning commodities locally, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports while creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, who announced this at the inauguration of High-Level Inter-Ministerial Platform (IMP) on Family Planning, Health, Human Capital, and Sustainable National Development Friday in Abuja described the investment as evidence that President Tinubu’s Executive Order on the pharmaceutical sector, signed in 2024, is attracting significant investments in pharmaceutical manufacturing, diagnostics and health technology.

Pate stated that rather than depending entirely on imported products, Nigeria is now building the capacity to manufacture essential reproductive health commodities locally adding that this will create economic value, generate employment and strengthen the healthcare system

He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building “a prosperous, peaceful and people-oriented Nigeria” through strategic investment in human capital.

Pate stressed that Nigeria’s greatest resource is not its oil or mineral wealth but its people.

The minister observed that with an estimated population of over 230 million and an annual increase of between eight and 10 million people, Nigeria must deliberately invest in the health, education and wellbeing of its citizens to reap the demographic dividend.

He said, “By 2050, Nigeria is projected to have between 450 and 500 million people, making it the third or fourth most populous country in the world. That population can either become our greatest asset or our greatest liability, depending on the investments we make today,” .

According to the minister, the newly inaugurated platform will strengthen collaboration among key ministries, departments and agencies to coordinate policies and investments that improve health outcomes, education, women’s empowerment, youth development and economic productivity.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will coordinate health system priorities and improve access to quality healthcare, while the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will drive national development planning and human capital investments. The Ministry of Finance, he added, will ensure that investments in health and social sectors translate into greater economic productivity and poverty reduction.

Pate noted that the Ministries of Women Affairs, Education and Youth Development each have critical responsibilities in empowering women, improving educational outcomes, promoting reproductive health and equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and life skills needed to become productive citizens.

He also highlighted the strategic roles of the National Population Commission, National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the National Orienta’ion Agency in population planning, maternal and child health, public awareness and citizen engagement.

The minister underscored the importance of reducing child mortality, noting that improved child survival encourages families to make informed reproductive choices while contributing to healthier population growth.

Pate, however, stressed that the success of the new platform would depend on adequate funding and stronger collaboration across all levels of government.

While acknowledging improvements in budgetary allocations, he urged the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely release of approved funds to implementing ministries and agencies.

He also called on state and local governments to complement federal efforts, noting that much of the country’s public revenue is managed at the sub-national level.

According to him, all 36 state governments had already signed the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative Compact with the Federal Government, and the new platform would further integrate states through their commissioners to ensure a coordinated national response.

The minister emphasized that achieving Nigeria’s development aspirations requires a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach involving civil society organisations, the private sector, development partners, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

He said the platform would focus on delivering measurable outcomes rather than becoming another forum for meetings and discussions.

“It is not just about conversations. It is about concrete actions, accountability and ensuring that investments in our people translate into better health, stronger families, increased productivity and national prosperity,” he stated.

Officially inaugurating the platform, Pate expressed confidence that coordinated action across government institutions would accelerate progress towards improved human capital development and help realise President Tinubu’s vision of a healthier, more prosperous and people-centred Nigeria.

He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to work together in building a productive population capable of driving economic growth and sustainable national development.

Also speaking, Managing Director of FP2030 West and Central Africa Office, Dr Alain Damiba, described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening cross-sector collaboration to improve health outcomes and accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Commended the Federal Government for adopting a whole-of-government approach to national development, saying the new platform demonstrates that health and family planning are national development priorities rather than the sole responsibility of the health sector.

“Health, including family planning, is a smart investment in human capital and Nigeria’s future,” Damiba said. “When women and young people can make informed and voluntary decisions about their reproductive health, we do much more than improve health indicators—we expand opportunities for better lives.”

According to him, enabling families to plan the number and spacing of their children allows greater investments in education, nutrition and healthcare, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s future workforce and enhancing the country’s capacity for sustainable economic growth.

Damiba noted that the inter-ministerial platform would serve as more than a coordinating mechanism, describing it as “a vehicle for shared purpose and shared accountability” where ministries can align priorities, monitor progress, reduce duplication and jointly address development challenges.

He added that Nigeria’s leadership on the initiative could provide a model for other countries across Africa, given the country’s strategic influence on the continent.

“FP2030 is proud to stand with the Government of Nigeria. Our role is to support national leadership by convening partners, providing evidence, strengthening accountability and helping translate commitments into measurable results,” he said.

The FP2030 regional chief reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to accelerating universal access to voluntary, rights-based family planning through equitable access and the development of resilient, self-sustaining countries. (The Guardian)

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