Nigeria, Brazil sign health cooperation agreement at BRICS summit

By Kunle Sanni –

Nigeria and Brazil have entered into a new agreement to work together on healthcare, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil.

The agreement was announced by Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who signed the document alongside Brazil’s Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandre Padilha, on the sidelines of the summit.

According to Pate, the partnership supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system. It also aligns with the goals of the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC).

“The agreement reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to building a stronger health system, encouraging local production, and making Nigeria more self-sufficient in key areas like pharmaceuticals,” he said.

The MoU outlines plans for cooperation in vaccine supply, with the long-term goal of local production of vaccines, medicines, and raw materials. It also includes provisions for technical exchange, staff training, and shared research.

“This partnership gives us an opportunity to prepare our health system for the future—not only for Nigeria but also to support public health efforts across Africa,” Pate added.

He noted that the collaboration is part of broader South–South cooperation, aimed at helping both countries build health systems that are more effective, inclusive, and better equipped to handle future challenges.