Nigeria has urged African Union member states to strengthen health systems and improve equitable access to healthcare across the continent, President Bola Tinubu said on Friday at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the presidency said.
The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union opened in Addis Ababa with the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
The summit gathers leaders and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss continental priorities including public health, economic integration and sustainable development.
Nigeria’s contribution focused on health systems resilience amid global health challenges such as communicable diseases, maternal and child health needs and pandemic preparedness.
Strengthened health systems are widely recognised as essential for improving public health outcomes and supporting sustainable development across African countries.
In his address in Addis Ababa, President Tinubu said Nigeria aligns with continental efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure and access.
He called for coordinated actions to improve health workforce capacity, supply chains for medicines and essential vaccines, and collective preparedness for future health emergencies.
Tinubu specifically highlighted the need for equitable access to healthcare services for women, children and vulnerable populations, and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to supporting Africa’s regional health agendas.
The president’s address also referenced the importance of partnerships with multilateral organisations, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support financing, technical assistance and sustainable health interventions across the continent.
Nigeria’s stance at the summit aligns with ongoing AU initiatives to address persistent public health challenges, including efforts to strengthen health system governance, workforce training and access to quality medical products.
Nigeria’s call for stronger health systems contributes to continental dialogue on public health priorities, particularly at a time when many African countries face challenges related to disease outbreaks, limited infrastructure and gaps in access to essential services.
Greater emphasis on workforce training and supply chain resilience can support broader efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, improve chronic disease management and bolster pandemic preparedness, according to public health frameworks promoted by international health organisations.
Collaboration among African nations, regional bodies and international partners could also influence policy commitments and resource mobilisation for health system strengthening initiatives.
