Health
NSIA Outlines Aggressive Healthcare Expansion Plan
**As Authority’s Infrastructure Intervention Excites Reps Committee Chairman
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on Monday received members of the House of Representatives who were in Lagos to inspect projects undertaken by the Authority and their impact on the economy.
Key areas of focus for the Lagos visits were Healthcare, Infrastructure and Agriculture.
The Ad-hoc Committee was constituted by the House of Representatives to investigate the activities of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since the inception of the Authority.
The committee during the visit hailed the management of the NSIA on their intervention in the healthcare sector.
The members of the House commenced their visit at the NSIA – LUTH Cancer Centre where the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, said the lawmakers were impressed with the quality of service being rendered to Nigerians at the cancer centre.
Since its inception, healthcare has been a keen area of focus for the Authority, deriving from which the NSIA Healthcare Development Investment Company was established to catalyze private sector investments to address infrastructure gaps, improve manpower, forge strategic collaborations, and promote healthier sg enrolment in healthcare services across the country.
Established in 2019, the NLCC – an outpatient cancer centre equipped with modern medical infrastructure has attended to over 10,000 unique persons living with cancer and has also deepened the capacity of medical and non-medical professionals within the oncology space.
Over the years, NLCC has reduced capital flight from medical tourism occasioned by cancer, created direct and indirect jobs and improved access to quality cancer care, thereby expanding possibilities for people living with cancer.
In addition to NLCC, the NSIA has also invested in two modern medical diagnostic centres collocated within the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Center, Umuahia respectively.
NSIA is now in the process of scaling these interventions, with 3 additional Oncology centres, 23 additional diagnostic centres and 7 catheterization laboratories across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. NSIA’s wholly-owned medical services portfolio company, Medserve, has been set up to implement these projects.
The Committee Chairman said the facilities align with the vision and commitment of the government to ensure affordable and efficient cancer care for Nigerians.
He explained, “We are investigating how much has been put into the development of this place. We have seen a lot of modern medical equipment that has been brought to this place.
“We are also seeing the quality of service being rendered to Nigerians and we are impressed and we will go back to report to the entire parliament and tell them that we need more of this in other places.”
He revealed that while talking to patients that they met during the oversight, they, “admitted that the charges here are the lowest compared to what happens in other areas like Ghana and other African countries. They are still pleading that the government should subsidize it more.
“We noted suggestions, which will be taken to the house to deliberate on. Nigeria already has centres for treating infectious diseases with qualified experts on it.
“But we will continue to develop more, we do not have enough cancer centres and there is a need for more investment in our health sector.
“And the government has assured us that they will continue to do that. And we at the parliament, will continue to appropriate sufficient funds.”
Also speaking during the visit by the lawmakers, the Managing Director of NSIA Healthcare Development Investment Company, Dr Tolulope Adewole, revealed ongoing expansion by the Authority, as part of efforts to contribute towards addressing the country’s healthcare challenges.
“We have started the expansion plan already, We had MoUs signed by different states, signed with different tertiary hospitals, and some of the equipment needed is ready to be disbursed.
“We hope to go live in the next 24 months We have a project in which we are building four diagnostic hospitals, in each geo-political zone and that will be done in two phases.
“We are upscaling from one oncology centre to four: one in the north, east, and finally Abuja. The cost is variable, so we can’t say what it will all cost us, ” he added.
The Committee also visited the Golden Fertilizer Company Limited blending plant resuscitated under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative managed by the NSIA.
The PFI was designed in 2016 to consistently deliver commercially significant quantities of affordable, high-quality fertilizer to Nigerian farmers.
PFI was also designed to revive the local blending industry and adopt an import substitution approach by ensuring that over 60 per cent of urea and limestone required for the production of fertilizers are sourced locally at the revived blending plants.
The PFI has so far revived and established over 70 blending plants including Golden, and Apapa, – across the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria.
The Initiative also facilitated local production and supply of NPK at affordable prices to farmers, which has correspondingly improved food security and slowed down food inflation in Nigeria.
Additionally, the PFI has reduced capital flight through import substitution, delivered over 60 million, 50kg bags of fertilizer and created more than 100,000 direct/indirect jobs within Nigeria.
By expanding production capacity for the blenders under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, the prices of NPK have dropped from about N11,000 per 50kg bag in 2016 to 5,000 per 50kg bag in 2020.
During the inspection of the fertilizer blending plant, the Committee expressed satisfaction with the impact that the initiative is creating in terms of job creation, food availability, forex conservation, and increase in yield for farmers.
They, however, pledged to assist in ensuring that middlemen don’t take advantage of the good intentions of the government under the initiative to create scarcity of the product and exhort Nigerians.
The Committee rounded off their assignment with a visit to the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, a 127.6 km long, busy interstate road, that cuts through Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.
The Chairman expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of the oldest and busiest routes in Africa with the potential to unlock significant economic activities and support the seamless movement of people, goods and services around Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States.
The Lagos Ibadan Expressway is one of the projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.
The PIDF was established by the Presidency in 2018 to accelerate the execution of certain critical infrastructure projects pivotal for the country’s development.
The NSIA was mandated by the Presidency to act as project and fund managers for the projects under PIDF.
Other infrastructure projects under the PIDF also managed by the NSIA include Abuja – Kano Road and Second Niger Bridge.
The financing of these projects has the potential to yield between 274,000 to 616,000 direct and indirect jobs.
During the visit, the NSIA Executive Director of Investments, Mr Kola Owodunni, told the lawmakers that the Authority NSIA remains focused on enabling overall socio-economic growth through diversification for Nigerians across key sectors including innovation and technology, agriculture, power, gas industrialization and financial market infrastructure.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the recall of a sexual enhancement product known as WAP Sensual Enhancement Capsules.
In a statement on Monday, the Nigerian agency disclosed that the recall is due to “undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients” in the product, whose country of origin is unknown, but is marketed and distributed online in the US through eBay.
It was emphasised that the recall is being “voluntarily” made by the manufacturer, Best Supplements Best Prices Company.
The detection of the undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients was made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Laboratory analysis by the US FDA revealed that the product contained undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil, and flibanserin, which were not mentioned on the product label. Such substances may include phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors or related compounds commonly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the statement by NAFDAC stated.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are ingredients in FDA-approved prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It was noted that these undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.
Flibanserin is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved prescription drug used to treat low sexual desire in women. Flibanserin can cause drowsiness, sedation, dangerously low blood pressure, and fainting, especially when combined with alcohol.
Consumers have been encouraged to report compromised products (medicines or medical devices) to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or send an email to sf******@********ov.ng.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Dr Obi Adigwe has been appointed as the pioneer National Coordinator of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO).
The body was created by the Ministry of Health under the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
NHTDAO will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated.
The agency will serve as a meta-level national platform for coordinating the country’s digital-health agenda. It will reinforce, not replace, the existing statutory functions of relevant departments and agencies, it was emphasised.
The organisation will also harmonise and empower the public and private institutions across the health system, set the standards that connect them, and operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture, approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
It was stated that President Tinubu expects NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves outcomes for all citizens.
Mr Adigwe, as Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, has leveraged science to catalyse interventions in artificial intelligence, translational research, and technology transfer.
He coordinated major projects, including the ¥300m Nanotechnology grant and the AFREXIMBank grant for Africa’s first API Training Facility. He led the roadmap development that underpinned an €18 million EU grant, the largest in Africa for the thematic area. During the last pandemic, Adigwe globally showcased African science by undertaking the world’s first analysis to debunk claims about the Covid Organics preparation.
The Office’s Steering Committee, which provides strategic direction and oversight, comprises:
- Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (Co-chair)
- Mr Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (Co-chair)
- Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (Alternate Co-chair)
- Ms Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy
- Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator, SWAp Coordination Office
- Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain
- Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency
- Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director General, National Health Insurance Authority
- Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- National Information Technology Development Agency Representative
- Six representatives of the State Commissioners of Health, one from each of the six geopolitical zones
- Pharm Hamza Buhari, Stakeholder representing Industry and Community.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State government has kicked off an initiative to ensure that every newborn is screened for Sickle Cell Disease within 48 to 72 hours after birth using a simple heel-prick test.
It was gathered that babies identified as being at risk will immediately be placed on preventive care while awaiting confirmatory testing.
The Head of the Haematology Department at the Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Olubukola Orolu, revealed that an estimated 150,000 babies are born annually with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria, giving the country one of the highest SCD burdens globally.
She, however, applauded the Lagos State Government and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for introducing the state-wide newborn screening programme, describing it as a major step towards reducing childhood deaths associated with the disease.
The commencement of this scheme coincides with the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day, themed Young Voices Rising for Sickle Cell Disease – Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease.
It highlights the importance of listening to the experiences and aspirations of young people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Mrs Orolu noted that SCD warriors are increasingly breaking barriers as advocates, leaders, students and change-makers, adding that their voices have continued to reshape the narrative through advocacy for equitable, patient-centred healthcare, self-care and experience sharing.
She, therefore, called for equal access to quality healthcare, survival opportunities and dignity for everyone living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Akinyele Akinlade, described Sickle Cell Disease as an inherited blood disorder that is not contagious, noting that individuals living with the condition are more susceptible to infections.
He advised SCD warriors to stay well hydrated, avoid stress, and protect themselves from extreme cold or heat, as these are common triggers of sickle cell crises, adding that these preventive measures can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crises.
One of the participants, Ms Borokini Zainab, an SCD warrior and student nurse, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the enlightenment programme.
Sharing her personal journey, she spoke about the challenges of balancing recurrent pain crises with her academic pursuits and personal life. Despite moments of frustration, she encouraged fellow warriors not to lose hope.
“Don’t let sickle cell put you down. Be encouraged from within. Don’t let your dreams be shattered because of this,” she said, adding that her personal experience with Sickle Cell Disease inspired her to pursue a career in nursing so she could support others living with the condition.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn