The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved two major health-sector interventions valued at about ₦10 billion aimed at strengthening HIV treatment services and improving cancer care across Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the country’s healthcare system and expand access to life-saving medical services.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja following the council meeting, explaining that the approvals were granted after the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare presented two separate memoranda for consideration by the council.
“Today, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare presented two memos for consideration of FEC, and the two were approved,” he said.
Salako stated that the first approval covers the procurement of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to sustain Nigeria’s long-standing policy of providing free treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS. He explained that the intervention became necessary following concerns earlier in the year that the country could face shortages of the life-saving medications, which are critical for managing the disease and preventing treatment interruptions among patients nationwide.
“We know that Nigeria has a policy of providing free drugs to people living with HIV and AIDS. Earlier in the year, there was some anxiety that Nigeria was going to run out of ARV,” Salako said.
He disclosed that the council approved the award of a ₦9.99 billion contract to Fixing HealthCare for the procurement of the drugs, noting that the decision would immediately address supply concerns and guarantee continuity of treatment for patients enrolled in the national HIV programme.
“With this approval, the anxiety is laid to rest,” he said.
The minister further explained that beyond addressing immediate supply needs, the approval aligns with President Tinubu’s broader agenda of strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and reducing reliance on imported medicines. According to him, the structure of the contract involves collaboration between a local pharmaceutical company and a global brand, a move designed to gradually build domestic capacity for the production of antiretroviral drugs within the country.
“But another significant part of this approval is that it is also being used to consolidate the programme of Mr President to unlock the healthcare value chain by giving the project to a local pharmaceutical industry that will work with a global brand so that gradually over time the capacity to manufacture ARV drugs in-country can be enhanced,” he added.
Salako said the second memo approved by the council focuses on strengthening cancer treatment services nationwide through the replacement and upgrade of radiotherapy equipment, alongside specialised training for medical personnel working in designated treatment centres.
“The second memo is to replace, upgrade, and provide training for cancer treatments in six of our cancer centres, one per geopolitical zone, so that radiotherapy, which is an essential part of cancer treatment, can continue in these centres,” he said.
He added that the intervention would cover six cancer treatment centres spread across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, ensuring equitable access to improved cancer care while sustaining the functionality of modern radiotherapy facilities considered essential for effective cancer management. The upgrades are expected to enhance treatment capacity, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen specialised oncology services across the country as the government continues broader reforms targeted at expanding healthcare infrastructure and improving service delivery nationwide.
