Health & Education
From The Report: Nigeria 2016
View in Online Reader

The current trajectory of the health care sector is defined in large part by the potential offered by Nigeria’s demographics and income profile. However, realising that potential will necessitate major investment and reforms to ensure that both public and private infrastructure can keep pace with demand. With an 184m-strong population growing at 2.7% per year, propelling the country to the upper ranks of the global population tables, the burden on public social services is great and growing. This is placing a strain on the under-resourced and underfunded public health system, but is also opening up the way for private providers. The education sector is also feeling the pressure created by the country’s demographics. Without further reform and attention, the state school system – currently underfunded and understaffed – is likely to come under severe stress. However, if the government is able to adapt accordingly, it can capitalise on the current youth bulge, facilitating a rise in economic productivity and a drop in the dependency ratio.

This chapter contains an interview with Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Minister of Health.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Redressing the balance: Improvements to public health services promise further opportunities for investors
OBG
plus

The current trajectory of the health care sector is defined in large part by the potential offered by Nigeria’s demographics and income profile. However, realising that potential will necessitate major investment and reforms to ensure that both public and private infrastructure can keep pace with demand. With a 184m-strong population growing at 2.7% per year, propelling the country to the upper ranks of the global population tables, the burden on public social services is great and growing. This…

Interview

Delivering care: OBG talks to Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Minister of Health
OBG
plus

Interview: Isaac Folorunso Adewole What are the government’s plans for primary health care centres (PHCs) in Nigeria? ISAAC FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, has made the provision of qualitative basic essential health services to Nigerians one of the cardinal deliverables of his administration. To this end, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) has established an ambitious health policy, which includes developing a framework for the attainment of universal health…

Overview

A pressing need: Changing demographics are prompting the state and private education providers to improve their offerings
OBG
plus

As the population of Nigeria continues to exhibit strong growth, the pressure on public services, including education, will increase in the coming decade. Without further reform and attention, the state school system – currently underfunded and understaffed – is likely to come under severe stress. Producing a competent and skilled workforce in which the attributes of graduates match the demands of the labour market presents the main challenge for Nigeria’s government. If it is able to adapt…

Analysis

In training: Aligning the skills of graduates with the demands of industry
OBG
plus

Vocational and technical training has been placed at the centre of education policy, with Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, emphasising the need to revive vocational training centres and put relevant skill development at the heart of tertiary education. In October 2015 the president announced that Nigeria must follow the global trend of fostering a knowledge-based economy by focusing on the improvement of education. “This will also help impact necessary skills and competencies, leading…