Nigeria, Brazil sign five-year health pact as Tinubu strengthens ties

Nigeria and Brazil have agreed to strengthen health sector collaboration through a Five-Year Joint Action Plan, marking a major milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State Visit to Brazil.

The agreement was reached during high-level engagements between ministers and senior officials, with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa Salako, joining the President’s delegation.

According to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Health on Tuesday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described Tinubu’s visit as “the restart of Nigeria–Brazil relations,” reaffirming both countries’ commitment to South–South cooperation for mutual development.

At the centre of discussions were two key Nigerian proposals: The creation of a Five-Year Joint Action Plan to operationalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2025 between Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Brazil’s Ministry of Health.

A government-to-government procurement framework designed to promote transparency, reduce costs, and strengthen local supply chains in both countries’ health sectors.

Dr. Salako stressed that the renewed partnership would have direct benefits for Nigerians, particularly in expanding access to affordable medicines, strengthening the health workforce, and improving service delivery nationwide.

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“This proposed Joint Action Plan and procurement framework with Brazil will help us expand access to affordable medicines, strengthen our health workforce, and deliver better services across the country,” the Minister stated.

The Health Ministry noted that the collaboration underscores Nigeria’s reform-driven agenda in the sector, prioritizing innovation, affordability, and sustainability.

Beyond healthcare, President Tinubu signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering technology transfer, food security, manufacturing, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals. He highlighted Africa’s emerging role in the global economy, describing the continent as “the new frontier.”

“We are ready to partner with Brazil to expand opportunities and advance Africa’s development,” Tinubu said, emphasizing that technology, research, food sovereignty, and manufacturing are vital tools for Nigeria’s growth.

The President also called for increased investment and knowledge exchange in healthcare, particularly pharmaceuticals, citing Brazil’s global reputation in generic drug production.

He assured investors that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms are yielding results and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building stronger local economies through international partnerships.

The renewed Nigeria–Brazil alliance is expected to foster innovation, improve access to essential medicines, and create sustainable healthcare solutions while deepening economic cooperation between the two largest economies in Africa and South America.