Health
Minister Seeks Greater Youth Role In Africa’s Health Governance
By Franca Ofili
The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, has called for greater youth participation in shaping health policies across Africa, saying young people must become active partners in health governance.
Olawande made the call on Monday in Abuja during the Youth Consultative Forum on the WHO Africa Regional Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and Vision 2035.
He was represented at the event by Mr Emmanuel Essien, Director of Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs in the ministry.
Olawande said African youths faced challenges including communicable and non-communicable diseases, unemployment, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and sexual and reproductive health concerns requiring urgent attention from policymakers.
The minister advocated youth-centred health systems that are responsive, inclusive and tailored to young people’s needs, while removing barriers to healthcare access and expanding mental health services.
Olawande highlighted youths’ contributions to healthcare innovation through technology, data systems and telemedicine, urging greater investment in innovations that improve health service delivery across Africa.
He emphasised that no young person should be excluded because of geography, gender or vulnerability, calling for inclusive interventions targeting marginalised and underserved communities across the continent.
The minister urged governments, international organisations, academic institutions and civil society groups to collaborate with youths in developing practical and sustainable recommendations for Africa’s future health policies.
In his welcome address, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, called for meaningful youth involvement in shaping the WHO African Regional Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and Vision 2035.
Represented by Dr Alex Chimbaru, Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Team Lead, WHO, Ursu said young people must become active partners rather than passive beneficiaries of health policies and programmes designed to improve health outcomes.
He said that Africa’s youthful population presented an opportunity to build healthier, more resilient and prosperous societies through meaningful youth participation in health planning and decision-making processes.
According to him, WHO continues supporting Nigeria in disease prevention, immunisation, emergency preparedness, maternal and child health, primary healthcare and universal health coverage initiatives nationwide.
He added that WHO also supported health workforce development, surveillance systems and evidence-based policymaking through collaboration with governments, development partners and communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Ursu explained that the proposed strategy aligned with Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals, universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness and climate-resilient health systems across Africa.
He observed that Africa continued facing communicable and non-communicable diseases, health emergencies, climate-related risks and unequal access to quality healthcare services in many communities.
However, Ursu said innovation, technology and youth leadership provided new opportunities to transform Africa’s health systems and significantly improved health outcomes across the continent.
He encouraged participants to submit practical recommendations on mental health, digital health, climate change, health security, universal health coverage and youth engagement in policy development.
The WHO representative described Nigeria’s youthful population as health advocates, innovators, researchers and community leaders whose contributions were vital to achieving WHO’s Vision 2035.
He thanked the government and development partners for supporting the consultation and promoting healthier futures for African youths through inclusive and sustainable health development initiatives.
Also speaking, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, urged greater youth participation, describing young people as partners, innovators, leaders and agents of sustainable development.
Fall commended WHO and its Regional Office for Africa for conducting an inclusive consultation involving governments, experts, academia, civil society, development partners and youth stakeholders.
He said Africa’s future prosperity depended on sustained investments in young people’s health, education, well-being and empowerment because the continent had the world’s youngest population.
According to him, Africa faces rapid population growth, climate change, urbanisation, disease outbreaks, non-communicable diseases and persistent health financing and workforce shortages across many countries.
In spite of these challenges, Fall said African youths continued driving innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, community engagement and social change, contributing significantly to continental development goals.
He reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Nigeria through WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNDP, UN Women, ILO and other agencies in strengthening resilient health systems.
Also speaking, WHO Technical Officer for Child and Adolescent Health, Dr Joy Ufere-Isikima, said the forum sought to align youths with WHO priorities and develop practical recommendations through stronger partnerships.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
