Nigeria’s health system gets US$2.26M boost through WHO – TY Danjuma Foundation partnership

NIGERIA—The World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region and Nigeria’s TY Danjuma Foundation have entered into a landmark partnership worth US$2.26 million to strengthen the country’s health system over the next ten years.

Formalized in Abuja, this agreement represents a significant milestone in harnessing African philanthropy to tackle Nigeria’s pressing health challenges.

The funding, which is fully flexible, will support the WHO Country Office in Nigeria’s work plan through December 2034.

This flexibility allows for strategic allocation of resources to address evolving health needs, particularly focusing on expanding access to integrated health services for women, children, and vulnerable populations in the states of Taraba (northeast), Edo (south), and Enugu (southeast).

Established in 2009, the TY Danjuma Foundation is a Nigerian philanthropic organization dedicated to improving health and education.

It operates through partnerships with local nongovernmental organizations and community-based groups, supporting initiatives that build institutional capacity, promote innovation, and ensure culturally relevant interventions.

The foundation maintains state offices in Taraba and Edo, where it delivers impactful community programs aimed at enhancing health outcomes.

Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the TY Danjuma Foundation, expressed pride in the collaboration with WHO, emphasizing that the agreement reflects a strong commitment to improving lives and fostering sustainable development within Nigerian communities.

He noted that the partnership was partly motivated by the recent withdrawal of funding support from the United States government to WHO, which threatened ongoing healthcare interventions.

Danjuma shared that his early experiences with limited access to health facilities inspired his philanthropic efforts in the health sector.

He also encouraged Nigerians, especially the youth, to cultivate a spirit of giving and community support.

The signing ceremony at the WHO Country Office in Abuja brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Taraba State government, the diplomatic community, and other partners dedicated to advancing health in Nigeria.

Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the national importance of the partnership, describing it as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to health equity.

He welcomed the collaboration as a means to deliver sustainable, high-impact health solutions.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, praised the TY Danjuma Foundation’s generous and visionary support, especially at a time when the global health sector faces significant funding challenges.

He emphasized that this long-term, flexible funding will strengthen WHO’s ability to support national leadership, serve communities, and create impact where it is most needed.

Similarly, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, underscored the broader significance of the initiative, stating that it sets a new standard for health partnerships in Nigeria.

He noted that the shared vision and flexible funding will drive measurable progress in addressing the needs of the country’s most vulnerable populations.

To showcase the partnership’s tangible impact, a delegation will visit Taraba State on June 3, 2025.

The visit includes touring the TY Danjuma Foundation’s Medical Centre and commissioning the newly constructed Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria Hospital in Takum, which the foundation donated.

This visit aims to assess the quality of care provided and explore further opportunities to improve community access to health services in underserved areas.

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