Nigeria, China Deepen Health Partnership, Technology, Others
Nigeria Commits to Strengthening Health Cooperation with China
Beijing — The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its dedication to enhancing strategic health collaboration with China, focusing on areas such as medical technology, hospital development, diagnostics, digital health, artificial intelligence, health workforce development, and local manufacturing.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made the announcement during his ministerial address at the 32nd China International Medical Equipment Exhibition and Scientific Conference (China-HOSPEQ 2026) held at the China National Convention Centre.
Salako emphasized the conference’s themes—China-Africa hospital collaboration, artificial intelligence, appropriate technologies, capacity building, and laboratory medicine—align with Nigeria’s objectives to broaden its partnership with China, extending beyond traditional trade to high-level strategic collaboration. He described China-HOSPEQ as a platform for dialogue, innovation, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships that could enhance health outcomes through technological advances.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, the Nigerian government is implementing reforms as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at transforming the healthcare sector. Salako outlined the government’s key priorities, which include strengthening primary healthcare, improving access to quality and affordable services, expanding diagnostic and specialized services, accelerating digital health transformation, and boosting local production of medicines and medical devices.
“Achieving these objectives requires stronger institutions, sustainable financing, innovative technologies, skilled human resources, and strategic international partnerships,” Salako stated.
He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with China in various health sectors, including hospital development, medical technology, diagnostics, and research. Salako noted that cooperation also encompasses pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical equipment procurement, and specialized training in traditional medicine.
While expressing optimism about the growing focus on China-Africa health cooperation, Salako also stressed that sustainable health-system transformation cannot be achieved solely through equipment provision. He underscored the necessity for context-appropriate medical equipment, adequate training for health workers, established maintenance and quality-assurance protocols, and effective integration of technologies.
Dr. Salako expressed Nigeria’s openness to deeper collaboration with China and other international partners in areas such as health technologies, clinical engineering, digital health, and health emergency preparedness.
He concluded by urging participants of China-HOSPEQ to capitalize on the conference’s opportunities for practical partnerships and sustainable health-sector investments. “Let us move from exhibition to implementation, from innovation to impact, and from partnership to sustainable capacity,” he said.
