By Adenike Lawal

In a move to revolutionise its healthcare industry, Nigeria has partnered with Geneva-based Empower School of Health to launch a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Training Academy aimed at closing the country’s skills gap and boosting local drug production.

The landmark partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), a key reform programme launched in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the signing event, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the academy will produce “the right talent” needed to fuel Nigeria’s ambition of manufacturing 70 percent of its pharmaceuticals by 2030 and 60 percent of its vaccines by 2040.

“The future of our health system depends not only on infrastructure and equipment but also on talent. This academy will help us build that capacity,” he said.

Empower School of Health, which has operated in over 40 countries, will lead the design and rollout of an industry-aligned curriculum tailored to Nigeria’s manufacturing needs.

The academy is expected to train a new generation of job-ready professionals who will drive sustainable growth in the health sector.

This initiative builds on recent achievements including 22 major healthcare projects and the activation of more than 10 healthcare value chain segments.

Over 70 manufacturing firms have already signaled commitment to Nigeria’s new health production agenda.

The PVAC programme has also unlocked financing through five development finance institutions, offering fresh support to local healthcare entrepreneurs.

This latest step signals a shift in Nigeria’s healthcare trajectory—from dependency to self-reliance—anchored on innovation, local talent, and strategic global collaboration.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

In a bold move to tackle the shortage of doctors in the Federal Capital Territory, Minister Nyesom Wike has approved the recruitment of 34 resident doctors for a seven year training program.

According to his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, the recruitment is part of a plan to engage 60 doctors across eight medical specialties.

The first batch includes five in psychiatry, four in internal medicine, one in general surgery, one in anesthesiology, eight in family medicine, six in ophthalmology, and nine in obstetrics and gynaecology.

This initiative, the first of its kind outside the Health Management Board, is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery across FCT hospitals.

The remaining 26 doctors will be recruited later by the FCTA Civil Service Commission.

By Our Correspondent

A campaign promoting mental and menstrual health awareness has sparked hope among women and girls in the Karmo community of the Federal Capital Territory.

Led by PAD-UP Africa and Shield Girls2Women Initiative, in collaboration with the community chief, the initiative is tackling deep-seated issues that affect women’s well-being.

At the heart of the campaign is a call for free sanitary pads and economic empowerment, with experts linking financial instability to mental health struggles.

Speaking at the event, held to mark International Women’s Day 2025, Project Director of Shield Girls2Women Initiative, Florence Ibrahim, emphasized that poor mental health can disrupt menstrual cycles, making emotional resilience a necessity for women.

“This is more than a one-time outreach. We are equipping women with coping strategies and fostering intergenerational conversations where older women guide younger ones through life’s challenges,” Ibrahim stated.

Founder of PAD-UP Africa, Ashley Lori, shed light on the connection between financial dependence and domestic abuse, stressing that many women remain trapped in unhealthy situations due to economic hardship.

She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowerment, inclusivity, and skill development, ensuring that women take charge of their futures.

Jiwa Chiefdom’s Village Head, Umar Sarki Gani, praised the initiative’s impact, urging the government to improve hygiene infrastructure and deploy health experts to educate rural communities.

For many beneficiaries, the event was life-changing. One participant expressed gratitude, saying, “The knowledge and sanitary pads given today mean so much. I feel seen and supported.”

With plans to extend the outreach to other areas, the movement is gaining momentum, proving that when women are empowered, entire communities thrive.