There are strong indications that Dr Muhammad Pate could be Nigeria’s next health minister, this follows his decision to rescind his appointment as the CEO of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, choosing instead, “to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria”.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has rescinded his appointment as the next Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and, according to indications, he could instead be returning to Nigeria to serve as the country’s next health minister.
Pate, a Nigerian physician and politician, was approved by the Gavi Board in February to become Gavi’s next CEO. However, he has now informed the board that he will not be able to join Gavi, as he has “taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria.”
Gavi said it “fully respects the decision” and wishes Pate “the very best for the future.”
Pate’s decision to return to Nigeria is seen as a major boost for the country’s health sector. He is a highly respected public health expert with a wealth of experience in both Nigeria and the international community.
In Nigeria, Pate served as Minister of State for Health from 2011 to 2013. During his time in office, he played a key role in the country’s polio eradication program. He also worked to improve access to healthcare for women and children.
At the international level, Pate served as the Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population and Director of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) at the World Bank Group. In these roles, he worked to improve the health of millions of people around the world.
Pate’s appointment as health minister is a sign that the Nigerian government is committed to improving the country’s health care system. He is a highly qualified and experienced individual who is well-positioned to lead this important effort.
Nigeria’s growing importance in the global health community.
As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria has a major role to play in global health initiatives. Stakeholders believe that Pate’s appointment as health minister could further give Nigeria a stronger voice in these discussions.
“Pate’s appointment will be a welcome development for Nigeria’s health sector. He is a highly qualified and experienced individual who is well-positioned to lead the country’s health care system into the future,” Nigerian physician Olumide Akinjile said.
In the coming days, Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is expected to send his ministerial list to lawmakers for approval and lobbying is reportedly underway especially within the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). With Pate rejecting Gavi’s global role within the same period that a presidential ministerial list is being prepared in Nigeria has raised indications that he will be Nigeria’s next health minister.
“This looks very straightforward to me, Pate is our next health minister,” John Okafor, a public health expert, told healthnews.ng.