Minister Urges Traditional Leaders To Tackle Polio Resurgence

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has called on traditional rulers to sustain their commitment to primary health care (PHC) and intensify efforts to eradicate polio.

The minister, who made the call yesterday at the 2025 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Primary Health Care Delivery in Abuja, praised the NTLC’s 16-year uninterrupted contribution to public health, describing it as a global model of voluntary leadership.

Prof. Pate acknowledged the crucial role of traditional rulers in advocating for immunisation, health security, and grassroots mobilisation, stating that “Your steadfast support continues to drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s health sector.”

The minister highlighted the recent detection of Circulating Variant Polio Virus Type 2 (cVPV2) as a major concern, noting gaps in immunisation compliance, team supervision, and accountability.

He recalled that in 2009, Nigeria overcame similar challenges despite resource constraints, expressing confidence that with strong leadership and community engagement, the country could defeat polio once again.

“We have done it before, and I believe we can do it again,” he said.
To further strengthen PHC, the minster stated that the Federal Government has approved a ₦1 trillion ($1.2 billion) performance-based financing initiative for state governments. This, alongside increased budget allocations, demonstrates the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access nationwide, he explained.

The minister also stressed the need to counter health misinformation, particularly on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.

He urged traditional leaders to play a vital role in promoting factual health information and dispelling conspiracy theories.