01/09/2025
Nigeria and Brazil are embarking on deeper health cooperation via a Five-Year Joint Action Plan, announced during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil
Key Health Sector Initiatives
During high-level discussions, Nigeria proposed two pivotal frameworks to operationalize the MoU signed in July 2025 between their health ministries:
Five-Year Joint Action Plan – to translate the MoU into concrete implementation.
Government-to-government Procurement Framework – designed to enhance transparency, reduce costs, and strengthen domestic supply chains in both countries Nairametrics
These steps are envisioned to bolster access to affordable medicines, fortify the health workforce, and elevate service delivery across Nigeria
Broader Reform-Forward Health Agenda
Nigeria’s Ministry of Health emphasized that this cooperation aligns with its reform-forward agenda—focusing on innovation, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in quality healthcare delivery.
The overarching goal is to convert international collaboration into tangible improvements in health services, access to essential medications, and overall health system resilience
President Tinubu underscored the need for investment in healthcare and pharmaceuticals—especially tapping into Brazil’s expertise in generic drug manufacturing.
This emerging collaboration marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s health sector—anchored in mutual reform, South–South cooperation, and strategic investment. It’s poised to deliver real results by strengthening local supply chains, boosting access to vital medicines, and reinforcing healthcare systems overall.
🔹Nigeria’s Broader Health Reform Strategy
Nigeria’s health sector has been undergoing a “reform-forward agenda” under the Ministry of Health. The key pillars include:
Access to Essential Medicines – reducing dependence on imports by strengthening local manufacturing and partnerships.
Healthcare Workforce Strengthening – tackling shortages of doctors, nurses, and specialists through training, exchange programs, and international cooperation.
Cost-Effective Healthcare – pushing for affordable drugs and efficient procurement systems.
System Resilience – building robust supply chains and emergency response capacity.
The Nigeria–Brazil 5-Year Joint Action Plan directly supports these reforms by providing a transparent procurement framework and leveraging Brazil’s expertise in generic drug production to make medicines cheaper and more widely available.
