The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Monday approved four major health initiatives worth about N93.9 billion to strengthen healthcare delivery, disease control and emergency medical services nationwide, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has said.
Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja presided over by President Bola Tinubu, Pate said the approvals underscored the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access and strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
One of the landmark approvals is the upgrade of the Kaltungo Snakebite Treatment Centre into the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre. “FEC approved upgrading the Kaltungo Snakebite Treatment Centre into the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre,” Pate disclosed. He said the centre would provide specialised treatment, research, training and sustainable access to quality antivenom.
“Snakebite remains a significant yet neglected public health challenge, especially among farmers, herders, hunters, women and children,” he said. According to him, “Nigeria records over 43,000 snakebite cases yearly, causing deaths, disabilities and severe socio-economic consequences.” Pate added that, “This will be the first specialised snakebite research and treatment centre in Nigeria and the sub-region.”
FEC also approved the procurement of 10 compressed natural gas-powered blood donation mobile clinics for the National Blood Service Agency, a project valued at about N6.9 billion. The minister explained that the project would improve blood collection, storage and distribution nationwide. “We require about 1.8 million units of blood annually but currently collect only about 25 to 30 per cent,” he said. He noted that the mobile clinics would support maternal healthcare, trauma management, surgeries and cancer treatment across the six geopolitical zones.
In a bid to tackle Nigeria’s high tuberculosis burden, FEC approved N62 billion for procuring tuberculosis commodities. “Nigeria is among countries with the highest tuberculosis burden. Government is now taking responsibility for procuring these commodities,” Pate said. He said the approval would reduce dependence on foreign donors and pave the way for local production of tuberculosis medicines.
The council equally approved procurement of reproductive health and family planning commodities through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The initiative, valued at about N25 billion, is expected to improve maternal healthcare and voluntary family planning services nationwide. “The commodities will be distributed through primary healthcare centres while supporting future local manufacturing,” Pate stated.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the approvals were announced after the FEC meeting on Monday, June 29, 2026.