Health & Education
From The Report: Nigeria 2017
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In February 2017 the Nigerian government approved the second National Strategic Health Development Plan. The policy “lays emphasis on primary health care… in addition to the provision of financial risk protection to all Nigerians”. It also aims to fast-track the operationalisation of the 2014 National Health Bill, which overhauled the organisation and funding of the health care system and allowed private sector participation to expand. At a time when the government’s budget is shrinking, the private sector has emerged as a crucial player in the country’s bid to improve efficiency as well as access to health care services. With 43% of its 189m citizens under the age of 15, Nigeria is a young country on the cusp of a major demographic shift. Significant reforms are required to the education system if the nation’s youth are to find a place in the workforce. As the population continues to grow, pressure on public services, including education, will increase. Without further reform, the public school system is likely to come under severe stress. The administration is aware of the challenges and has implemented policies to improve both primary education and university-level instruction. As such, there are significant opportunities for further investment and development from the primary to the tertiary segment.

This chapter contains an interview with Mark Wagstaff, Country Manager West Africa, Pfizer.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Prioritising care: New developments in health care signify progress towards universal coverage, but political intervention is still needed
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In February 2017 the Nigerian government approved the second National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP II). Announcing the policy, Isaac Adewole, the minister of health, said that a technical working group headed by his predecessor, Eyitayo Lambo, had identified the key challenges and mistakes of the past in order to reposition the country’s health care sector. Adewole noted that the policy “lays emphasis on primary health careasthe bedrock of [Nigeria’s] national…

Interview

Booster shot: Mark Wagstaff, Country Manager West Africa, Pfizer, on challenges and opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector
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Interview:Mark Wagstaff How will recent changes in the global pharmaceutical market affect the industry in Nigeria? MARK WAGSTAFF: At a global level, we are witnessing more pharmaceutical companies becoming certified by the World Health Organisation, and thus authorised to export pharmaceutical products. This will impact Nigeria’s market, as the number of pharmaceutical firms in the economy will grow. In Nigeria, the commercial side of the industry is obviously small compared to Europe…

Analysis

Improving primary care: Local clinics are a promising solution to gaps in coverage
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In a developing country with high rates of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, the provision of primary health care (PH) is imperative. PH focuses on the treatment and prevention of the most common diseases – such as malaria and tuberculosis – as well as maternal and child care, health education and the provision of essential drugs. PH clinics do not require particularly expensive equipment, but the treatments and information they provide can significantly reduce costs to…

Overview

Learning curve: Efforts under way to educate in line with market demands
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Demographic booms come with both opportunities and challenges. Emerging countries with young populations can see a rise in economic growth; however, the so-called “demographic dividend” is contingent on the provision of ample jobs for a growing working population and the ability of workers to meet the demands of the labour market. With 43% of its 186m citizens under the age of 15, Nigeria is a young country on the cusp of a major demographic shift. Significant reforms are required to…

Analysis

Extra credit: Vocational training to be key in meeting labour market needs
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If Nigeria is to come to grips with its high youth unemployment rate, which reached 24% in mid-2016, the development of skills and core competencies in fields relevant to the country’s development is crucial. In recent years the government and private sector have increasingly cooperated on vocational training, but higher funding and a long-term policy are needed. Slim Pickings During the decade of rapid growth that began in the early 2000s on the back of higher oil prices, the country’s…