President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a new office called the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU). This office will be part of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Its main role is to oversee and manage external funding for the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), ensuring the funds are used efficiently and transparently.
A statement from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, announced that the SCO-PMU will report to a Steering Committee or Ministerial Oversight Committee. This committee will include the Minister of Health, the Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Budget and Economic Planning, and relevant development partners.
The SCO-PMU will act as the main office handling the NHSRII. It will be led by a National Coordinator, who will manage various tasks such as overseeing the program, monitoring its progress, and handling finances. The unit will also supervise Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) who will assess the NHSRII programs.
Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq has been appointed as the National Coordinator of the SCO-PMU. He has over 17 years of experience in public health, finance, and climate sectors. His previous roles include leading the Performance Management and Delivery Unit at the Federal Ministry of Health, serving as CEO of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, and working at the World Bank.
Dr. Umar Sadiq is currently a doctoral candidate in public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He also holds a Master’s degree in Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge and an MBBS degree from Imperial College London.
The NHSRII was launched on December 12, 2023, following its approval by the National Council on Health in November 2023. The initiative aims to improve health outcomes and strengthen the health system in Nigeria. Its goals include saving lives, reducing physical and financial hardships, and ensuring better health for all Nigerians.
To support the NHSRII, $2.2 billion has been secured from various development partners to help fund the initiative’s implementation.
