Source: Agency Report
 

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Salma Ibrahim

In a landmark move to address the growing burden of neurological disorders, the Nigerian government has rolled out a strategic, decade-long plan aimed at transforming neurological healthcare across the country.

Announced at the Africa Neurological Health Summit 2025 held in Abuja, the initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan (WHO-IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (2022–2031) and reflects the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda.

Speaking at the summit, Salma Ibrahim, the Special Adviser to the President on Health (represented by Technical Adviser Ahmed Yakasai), emphasized the urgent need to address neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, and spinal cord injuries, which affect millions of Nigerians and contribute significantly to both health and economic losses.

“This summit must not be a talk shop. We must use it to accelerate policy implementation that brings real solutions to patients and families living with neurological conditions,” Ibrahim said.

The Five Pillars of Nigeria’s Neurological Health Strategy

The federal government’s comprehensive framework will focus on the following five key areas:

1. National Neurological Health Framework
   Establishing standardized care protocols and outcome indicators for neurological disorders across all tiers of the healthcare system.
2. Workforce and Infrastructure Development
   Strengthening specialist training, equitable distribution of neurological experts, and upgrading health infrastructure from tertiary hospitals to primary care levels.
3. Health Financing Expansion
   Finalizing a neurology-specific benefit package under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket costs.
4. Tele-Neurology and Digital Tools
   Deploying remote diagnostic and consultation platforms, especially in underserved and rural areas, to bridge access gaps.
5. Brain Health Equity and Public Advocacy
   Working with civil society organizations to fight stigma, promote inclusion, and empower individuals living with neurological conditions.

New Neurological Centers Launched

As part of the strategy, three new neurological centres have already been commissioned in Kano, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri. These centers are equipped to treat epilepsy, stroke, and other neurological conditions and are affiliated with university teaching hospitals to ensure sustainable specialist training.

Call for Collaboration Across All Levels

Mrs. Ibrahim called on:

• State governments to invest in neuro-care services at the local level.
• Health insurance providers to prioritize neurological conditions in their packages.
• Civil society and media to reduce stigma and promote awareness.
• Global development partners to fund research, technology, and capacity-building efforts.

WHO Reaffirms Support

Mya Ngon, Team Lead for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at WHO Nigeria, affirmed the organization’s readiness to support Nigeria in expanding neurological care.

“At WHO, we would like to recommit ourselves to working with the Federal Ministry of Health and all key stakeholders… to ensure people living with neurological conditions can access quality care, treatment, and rehabilitation,” she said.

She also described the summit as a major milestone in fostering cross-sector collaboration and developing evidence-based policies for Africa.

Conclusion

The summit concluded with a unified call for action: time-bound, measurable commitments are now needed to reposition neurological healthcare as a national and continental priority.

With political will, global support, and multi-sectoral collaboration, Nigeria is setting the stage for a future where brain and spine health are no longer neglected—but protected, prioritized, and strengthened for generations to come.