Nigeria’s 66th National Council on Health Begins in Calabar with Push for Universal Health Coverage
By Ebi COLLINS and Jessica Edet
The 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) commenced on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Cross River International Convention Centre (CICC) in Calabar, with health leaders from across Nigeria converging to advance policy discussions aimed at accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Operating under the theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation,” the meeting opened with three intensive technical sessions, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a transformative week for the country’s health sector.
Day One featured a structured review of essential national health governance elements, including the procedure for the conduct of the technical session, consideration of the proceedings of the 65th NCH meeting, a review of the implementation status of the 65th NCH resolutions, and an extensive consideration of new council memos expected to guide future policy action.
In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rebuilding public trust and strengthening the health system. She highlighted ongoing reforms in primary healthcare delivery, supply chain management, human resources for health, and system-wide accountability.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the newly approved Health Workforce Migration Policy will play a central role in stabilizing the Nigerian health sector by properly managing the retention, outflow, and equitable distribution of health workers nationwide. She explained that the theme of this year’s NCH urges stakeholders to place the Nigerian citizen at the heart of all policy decisions, ensuring that reforms genuinely advance the country’s march toward Universal Health Coverage.
Welcoming delegates earlier, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, described the 66th NCH as a defining platform for strengthening UHC across Nigeria. He said the deliberations must ensure equal access to quality healthcare for all citizens, both rich and poor.
Dr. Ayuk noted that resolutions emanating from the council must address not only financial access but also the availability of a well-trained and well-distributed health workforce, quality medicines, and functional health infrastructure. He commended the delegates for their commitment and encouraged them to engage deeply in the sessions to support improved health outcomes for Nigerians.
The second day of the NCH, scheduled for Tuesday, will continue with the fourth, fifth, and sixth technical sessions focused heavily on the consideration of council memos and high-level thematic presentations. Day Two is expected to feature a detailed presentation by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) titled “The Critical Missing Link in Crashing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Nigeria,” addressing persistent challenges affecting mothers and newborns across the country. Another major presentation will be delivered by Dr. Ofem Enang on “Health Workforce Development and Retention Strategies: The Nigerian Experience,” offering insights and solutions to the workforce crisis confronting Nigeria’s health sector. The day will also involve the continued harmonization of memos submitted by states, federal institutions, and development partners in preparation for the final policy session.
The five-day meeting will culminate in a high-level policy-making session where key resolutions will be adopted, shaping national health implementation frameworks across all 36 states and the FCT for the coming year. The outcome of this year’s NCH is expected to significantly influence Nigeria’s trajectory toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and building a more equitable, resilient, and innovative health system.
