The Tinubu Health Sector Practitioners Alliance (TIHSEPA) has urged health professionals in Nigeria to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. According to TIHSEPA, the administration's interventions in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, emergency medical services, and health financing have given practitioners grounds to support Tinubu for a second term.
Dr. Ogechi Lokpobiri, National Coordinator of TIHSEPA, outlined key gains under the President's Renewed Hope Agenda, including an increase in annual nursing and midwifery enrolment quotas from 28,000 in May 2023 to 115,000 for the 2025 academic year. She also cited a reported ₦110 billion investment in 18 medical schools and health insurance enrolment exceeding 22 million Nigerians as evidence of efforts to strengthen the sector.
Lokpobiri highlighted the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030 as a framework for improving professional education, leadership, regulation, and workforce development. She also cited the Federal Government's approval of recruitment waivers for 20,000 additional health workers, with nurses and midwives expected to account for 60 per cent of the positions.
In medical education, Lokpobiri cited a reported ₦110 billion investment in 18 medical schools under the Federal Ministry of Education's Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative. She said the investment could strengthen medical training, research, and the supply of skilled professionals, but urged the government to ensure beneficiary institutions have functional laboratories, modern equipment, qualified lecturers, and adequate clinical training facilities.
Lokpobiri also highlighted healthcare infrastructure projects announced by the Presidency in May 2026, including a laboratory complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State and an immunisation supply chain hub at the Federal Medical Stores in Oshodi, Lagos State. Other interventions include primary healthcare facilities in Kano and Delta states, and emergency medical transportation initiatives comprising 145 tricycle ambulances and 79 ambulances for federal tertiary hospitals.
On health financing, Lokpobiri said insurance enrolment had exceeded 22 million Nigerians by July 2026, representing an increase of approximately 35 per cent since 2023. She argued that expanding coverage could reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and protect low-income households from illness-related financial hardship.
Lokpobiri maintained that healthcare development required sustained funding, effective policy implementation, and stronger partnerships between government institutions and professional associations. She urged health-sector practitioners to support Tinubu's return in 2027, describing continuity in the reforms as a compelling reason for the sector to mobilise behind his candidacy.
Key points
- TIHSEPA cites increased nursing training capacity and investments in medical schools as key gains under Tinubu's administration.
- Health insurance enrolment has exceeded 22 million Nigerians, representing a 35% increase since 2023.
- Maternal deaths have reduced by 17% and newborn deaths by 12% across 172 high-burden local government areas.
