Traditional rulers across Nigeria have pledged to support President Bola Tinubu’s health reforms by promoting vaccination, improving maternal and child health services, and addressing misinformation at the community level, marking a major step in strengthening the country’s primary health care system.
During a national health summit in Abuja on Tuesday, attended by senior government officials, development partners, and traditional leaders from across the country, the rulers presented a coordinated plan to enhance immunisation, maternal and child health, and nutrition programmes.
They highlighted their unique influence at the grassroots level, noting that it enables them to encourage routine vaccination, disease prevention, and timely health-seeking behaviour. The collaboration was described as a key milestone in building a healthier and more prosperous nation.
President Tinubu stressed that successful health reforms require the active participation of traditional and religious leaders. The rulers outlined six main commitments: promoting routine immunisation, tackling misinformation and resistance, ensuring access for underserved populations, monitoring health interventions locally, collaborating with governments and development partners, and protecting the health of women, children, and adolescents through maternal health and nutrition programmes.
In his remarks, the WHO’s Country Representative to Nigeria, lauded the role of traditional institutions, Pavel Ursu, calling it a model that reaches communities “where politicians and health workers often cannot”. He noted progress in measles-rubella campaigns, routine immunisation, and the revitalisation of primary health care, while urging continued efforts to eradicate polio and improve equitable access to quality services.
Speaking further, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, emphasised that Nigeria’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy depends on investments in human capital. He stressed that early childhood interventions, including health, nutrition, water, sanitation, caregiving and early learning, are critical, and that traditional and faith leaders play a key role in shaping household practices, gender norms, and women’s decision-making.
The summit reinforced a shared vision of combining government policy, community leadership, and development partner support to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and improve outcomes nationwide.
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