Nigeria backs plan to deploy 2 million community health workers across Africa
By Kunle Sanni –
Nigeria has restated its commitment to the African Union’s (AU) ambitious plan to deploy two million Community Health Workers (CHWs) across the continent as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the pledge on Tuesday at the Africa CDC 2nd Taskforce Meeting of the Community Health Continental Coordination Mechanism (CCM) Principals. The meeting was held at the UNICEF headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Delivering a message of solidarity from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, Salako underscored the central role CHWs play in strengthening health security and building resilient systems across Africa.
He recalled the AU Assembly’s 2017 decision urging member states to prioritize recruitment, training, and integration of CHWs into national health systems. “Investing in CHWs translates into investing in prevention, early detection, maternal and child health, and stronger systems capable of withstanding public health threats,” Salako said.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s role in hosting the validation of the 2024 community health landscape survey, Shaping the CHW Strategy, Scorecard and Strategic Action, which was endorsed by AU member countries. He described the swift adoption of the document as proof of Africa’s collective commitment to institutionalizing CHWs.
Salako called for expanded training facilities, professionalization of the CHW workforce, and the creation of career progression pathways. He urged African countries to translate commitments into measurable results, stressing that the future of community health on the continent depends on collaboration and action.
He commended the AU Commission, Africa CDC, UNICEF, and development partners for their continued support of the initiative.
