Strengthening Nigeria’s health systems

The Nigeria Solidarity First Port Fund, a collaboration between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Global Citizen Nigeria, aims to raise $50 million to address health challenges in Nigeria, reskill youth, and support vulnerable populations. Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, the General Manager of NSSF, shared in an interview with CNBC Africa the progress that the fund has made since its inception. She highlighted significant milestones achieved, such as contributing to the vaccination of 1.7 million Nigerians in partnership with the National Family Health Care Development Agency in 2021. Furthermore, the fund has supported the development of 400 technologically inclined Nigerian youths through its Niger campaign. One of the critical objectives of the fund is to influence policy in favor of healthcare development. Dr. Chinye-Nwoko emphasized the importance of partnership with national and sub-national agencies to ensure that policies are effective at the grassroots level, benefiting communities in both rural and urban areas. The NSSF engages in advocacy work through round table discussions involving stakeholders from various sectors, such as government, private organizations, NGOs, and healthcare workers. These discussions aim to improve policies on vaccinations and address vaccine hesitancy. Partnerships and collaboration play a significant role in the success of the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund. Dr. Chinye-Nwoko acknowledged the support received from partners, including legal firms, audit firms, and donors providing both in-kind and cash donations. The fund has worked closely with nine partners since its inception, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving its objectives. As the fund continues to address development challenges in Nigeria, Dr. Chinye-Nwoko highlighted the need for flexibility and adaptation to evolving challenges. She noted that issues such as poverty, healthcare system deficiencies, and empowerment remain persistent challenges in the country. The NSSF remains committed to tackling these issues and aims to reach a point where Nigeria's healthcare system is on par with other countries, emphasizing the importance of continuous evaluation and adjustment to meet current challenges effectively.