The Nigerian government has unveiled a strategic 10-year roadmap aimed at transforming neurological healthcare nationwide through targeted policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and cross-sector collaboration.
Speaking at the inaugural Africa Neurological Health Summit 2025 held in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim—represented by Technical Adviser Ahmed Yakasai—outlined a five-pillar national strategy designed to strengthen brain and spine health in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda.
The summit, themed “Policy and Advocacy in Neurological Healthcare: Bridging the Gap Towards Achieving WHO-IGAP Goals 2022–2031”, convened leading neurologists, policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates from across Africa to advance solutions to the region’s rising neurological disease burden.
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the critical impact of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, and spinal injuries on Nigeria’s health and socioeconomic systems, calling for urgent action beyond dialogue. “This summit must not be a talk shop. We must use it to accelerate policy implementation that brings real solutions to patients and families living with neurological conditions,” she said.
The federal government’s five-point plan includes:
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National Neurological Health Framework – Development of standardised care protocols and outcome indicators to improve service delivery across all tiers of healthcare.
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Workforce and Infrastructure Development – Expansion of specialist training, equitable personnel deployment, and medical equipment upgrades to close the tertiary-to-primary care gap.
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Health Financing Expansion – Introduction of a neurology-focused benefit package under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to reduce out-of-pocket spending.
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Digital Health and Tele-Neurology – Adoption of remote diagnostic and monitoring tools to increase access, particularly in underserved communities.
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Brain Health Equity and Advocacy – Partnerships with civil society organisations to tackle stigma, promote inclusion, and empower individuals affected by neurological disorders.
Highlighting the government’s commitment, Dr. Ibrahim announced the commissioning of three new neurological centres in Kano, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri. These centres, supported by university teaching hospitals, are equipped to manage complex conditions and provide a training pipeline for neurologists.
She also called for deeper engagement from sub-national governments, health insurers, civil society, and media stakeholders to build an inclusive and sustainable neuro-care ecosystem. “We must shift the narrative from stigma to hope,” she said.
In a show of international support, Mya Ngon, Team Lead for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at the WHO Nigeria Office, reaffirmed WHO’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health. She described the summit as a pivotal moment for Africa to craft evidence-based policies and foster intersectoral coordination.
“At WHO, we recommit to working with Nigeria and its partners to expand access to treatment, rehabilitation, and care for people living with neurological conditions,” Ngon said.
The summit concluded with a resounding call for time-bound, actionable commitments to elevate neurological healthcare as a national and continental development priority.
