FG champions entrepreneurial innovation in Nigeria’s healthcare sector

The Federal Government has explained the importance of entrepreneurial innovation in addressing Nigeria’s pressing healthcare challenges.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said this on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Pate spoke at a high-level policy dialogue for sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria with the theme: “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare”.

It was reported that the dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN).

HFN is a coalition of private sector stakeholders, advocates for solutions to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

Pate said that the discussion was meant to incorporate international expertise and best practices to support the government’s reform agenda.

Highlighting a shift toward market-driven solutions, the Minister called on entrepreneurs to develop solid business cases that identify specific health problems, propose viable solutions, and demonstrate their economic feasibility.

“Every day, three, four, five proposals come to my desk. We look at them, and we arbitrate,” he said..

He highlighted a structured process for evaluating incoming proposals.

He pointed out the critical difference between “a solution looking for a problem” and “a problem looking for a solution”, underscoring the necessity for genuine, marketable ideas.

The Minister warned against ventures that rely heavily on government patronage, stressing that such approaches are unsustainable.

“What we are looking for are entrepreneurial ideas where market economics works.

“There is demand for it, and someone is willing to pay for it,” he said.

He advocated for solutions that can thrive independently without continuous government support.

To facilitate this entrepreneurial engagement, he said that the ministry had established the Private Investment in the Health Sector (PIVAC) as an entry point for innovative health solutions.

He assured potential investors that a dedicated team from both the private and public sectors was ready to support viable proposals and connect them with necessary resources.

The conversation also touched on the challenges of managing emergency medical services (EMS) across Nigeria’s vast rural landscape.

“I shudder to think of the day when the ministry of health is micromanaging ambulances in all of those places. It is just impossible,” he said.

He explained the need for a decentralised approach to healthcare delivery.

As the Minister outlined the vision for a more resilient health sector, he reiterated the commitment to fostering a collaborative environment where innovative solutions can flourish.

“If you have an excellent idea that will solve a real problem, then PIVAC is the entry point,” he said.

He invited entrepreneurs to engage with the ministry in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Hon. Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House Committee On Health Institutions, said that the involvement of the private sector was crucial for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Magaji said that the government alone could not drive the system.

“This reinforces the need for strong public-private partnerships in health,” he said.

He said that the discussion on creating a conducive environment for private sector involvement aligned with ongoing legislative efforts.

He stressed the importance of legislative backing to facilitate healthcare reforms and initiatives, including collaboration with the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency.

The lawmaker expressed optimism about Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that while the country is not where it should be, progress is being made.

He urged healthcare stakeholders to maintain communication with the legislature to ensure smooth implementation of policies, making it easier to support initiatives through legislative action.

Prof. Ilona Kickbusch, Director, Digital Transformations for Health Lab, called for a comprehensive approach to digital transformation.

Kickbusch said that such an approach should include youth involvement, address the digital divide, promote mental health, and ensure robust governance to safeguard health and well-being in the digital era.

She highlighted how digital technology was not just a tool for improving healthcare delivery, but also a new determinant of health.

She called for reimagining of public health and universal health coverage, particularly addressing the digital divide and its impact on mental health.

She called for the involvement of young people in shaping the development of Nigeria’s digital health system, noting that over half of the Nigerian population is under 19.

According to her, mental health, health insurance, and sexual and reproductive health are key priorities for youths.

She stressed the need for investment in digital health literacy for young Nigerians.

The professor advocated for a solidarity-based approach to data governance to prevent health-harming digital practices.

She explained the importance of governance mechanisms to ensure that digital health efforts benefit society without undermining well-being, especially for young people.

She encouraged the development of public health guidance related to internet use for children and young people, given the serious concerns about the effects of digital technologies on health.

Meanwhile, Dr Pamela Ajayi, President of, the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), said that the dialogue would provide a platform for the private sector to engage with policymakers.

Ajayi said that it would focus on advancing digital innovations, supporting governance systems for accountability, and developing funding strategies to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act.

She said that lack of coordination had led to inefficiencies in resource allocation, duplication of efforts, and misaligned priorities that fail to address the most pressing health challenges.

“This is where the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) becomes relevant and urgently needed.

“The approach offers a transformative shift by bringing all stakeholders—government, donors, NGOs, and the private sector—under a unified policy and planning framework.

“This is to ensure that development efforts in the health sector are coordinated, aligned with national priorities, and led by the Nigerian government,” she said.

She said that the dialogue was driven by the urgency to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, with the private sector playing a central role.

“This dialogue seeks to explore how the private sector can contribute to the effective implementation of the SWAp initiative, ultimately improving health outcomes nationwide,” she said.