Health & Education
From The Report: Nigeria 2019
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Efforts to develop the Nigerian health care system have been hindered by several notable challenges, including limited public funding, a high communicable diseases burden, rising incidence of non-communicable diseases, and elevated rates of infant and maternal mortality. However, Nigeria’s large, young population, widening deficits in primary and specialty care, and the state’s encouragement of investment have created opportunities for growth across all levels of service provision. The government’s willingness to plan and partner with private providers should help to considerably improve the quality, access and outcomes of patient care in the years to come. Meanwhile, the education system presents itself as well with some challenges. Budget shortfalls have stretched the public system thin, while disparities in enrolment and outcomes across the K-12 spectrum continue to emerge along the lines of gender and geography. Moreover, primary and secondary enrolment has slipped in the midst of insecurity in the country’s north, even as the insurgency has ebbed. However, recent policy reforms should propel public investment in new facilities, classroom resources and teacher training, which should improve student outcomes and reduce the country’s large out-of-school population. This chapter contains an interview with Abubakar A Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Fulfilling a promise: Rising incomes, a youth boom and mature law provide the means for cooperation in sector growth and saving lives
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Although outcomes across several key indicators have improved in recent years, efforts to develop the health care system are hindered by several notable challenges, including limited public funding, a high communicable diseases (CD) burden, rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and elevated rates of infant and maternal mortality. However, Nigeria’s large, young population, widening deficits in primary and specialty care, and the state’s encouragement of investment have…

Overview

Promoting pharmaceuticals: As health care provision expands, demand for both local and imported pharmaceutical products is rising
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In recent decades, the pharmaceutical market has expanded its geographical reach. This trend appears to be here to stay; in a survey of major pharmaceutical firms conducted by global consulting firm PwC’s Strategy& team, more than half of respondents anticipated that over 30% of their global sales would originate in emerging markets by 2018. Even in the most newly opened markets, drug companies have seen growth: forecasts for Myanmar, for instance, indicate that pharmaceuticals could quickly grow into a $1bn industry. As governments and companies continue to take note of this high-potential sector, both are pursuing development…

Overview

Promoting pharmaceuticals: As health care provision expands, demand for both local and imported pharmaceutical products is rising
OBG
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In recent decades, the pharmaceutical market has expanded its geographical reach. This trend appears to be here to stay; in a survey of major pharmaceutical firms conducted by global consulting firm PwC’s Strategy& team, more than half of respondents anticipated that over 30% of their global sales would originate in emerging markets by 2018. Even in the most newly opened markets, drug companies have seen growth: forecasts for Myanmar, for instance, indicate that pharmaceuticals could quickly grow into a $1bn industry. As governments and companies continue to take note of this high-potential sector, both are pursuing development…

Overview

Basis for growth: Recent public policy has recommitted the state to bettering its school system and invited partnership with private investors
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The size, youthfulness and rapid growth of Nigeria’s population present education stakeholders with an array of challenges and opportunities. Budget shortfalls have stretched the public system thin, while disparities in enrolment and outcomes across the K-12 spectrum continue to emerge along the lines of gender and geography. Moreover, primary and secondary enrolment has slipped in the midst of insecurity in the country’s north, even as the insurgency has ebbed. However, recent policy…

Interview

Highest learners: Abubakar A Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, on developing tertiary education
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Overview

On the job: Development and promotion of technical and vocational training key to improving employment rates
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Although priorities vary when it comes to economic development, the increasing need for skilled labour is both a cause of and a requirement for accelerated growth across markets. This demand for technical specialists is often most concentrated in the sectors that are vital to economic advancement, including infrastructure, oil and gas exploration and extraction, and value-add processes for agricultural commodities. Efforts to expand this expertise locally, rather than relying on international organisations or expatriate leadership, have come to the fore in recent years, both as part of individual country schemes and multinational efforts.…

Overview

On the job: Development and promotion of technical and vocational training key to improving employment rates
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Although priorities vary when it comes to economic development, the increasing need for skilled labour is both a cause of and a requirement for accelerated growth across markets. This demand for technical specialists is often most concentrated in the sectors that are vital to economic advancement, including infrastructure, oil and gas exploration and extraction, and value-add processes for agricultural commodities. Efforts to expand this expertise locally, rather than relying on international organisations or expatriate leadership, have come to the fore in recent years, both as part of individual country schemes and multinational efforts.…