By Deborah Nnamdi
The World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have endorsed Nigeria’s Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) model as a benchmark for sustainable health reform and efficient resource management in developing countries.
The endorsement was made during a high-level dialogue on “Scaling Health Reforms” at the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., which brought together global health leaders, ministers, and development partners to explore strategies for financing healthcare, supporting local pharmaceutical production, and improving primary health service delivery.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, presented the country’s achievements under the SWAp model, which aligns government and donor investments with national health priorities. He said the initiative has produced measurable results, including a significant improvement in access to primary healthcare services.
According to Pate, facilities supported through the SWAp programme recorded over 80 million patient visits in the first half of 2025—four times the number recorded during the same period in 2023. He attributed this progress to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places strong emphasis on access to quality healthcare and improved economic productivity.
Officials of the World Bank and WHO commended Nigeria’s coordinated approach to health sector reform, describing the SWAp framework as a model that enhances accountability, reduces duplication, and promotes efficient use of funds. Both institutions pledged continued financial and technical support to help expand the programme across Nigerian states.
Observers say the endorsement underscores growing international confidence in Nigeria’s health reform agenda. The SWAp model—launched in 2024 through a $1.2 billion partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Health, state governments, and development partners—integrates domestic and external resources into a single results-driven framework aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, the National Coordinator of SWAp, had earlier explained that the initiative was designed to address deep-rooted challenges such as underfunding, health worker shortages, poor data management, and inadequate infrastructure.
The World Bank and WHO’s recognition of Nigeria’s efforts is seen as a major boost for the country’s ambition to build a resilient and inclusive healthcare system capable of delivering better outcomes for its citizens.
