Bukola Afeni
In commemoration of the 2025 National Health Promotion Day, the Federal Government has called for the expansion of health education across rural and vulnerable communities.
This measure will strengthen preventive healthcare and improve the well-being of Nigerians.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, states this during a press briefing in Abuja.
Pate emphasized the need for collective action to implement the National Health Promotion Policy.
He also urged stakeholders to support preventive interventions especially in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and elderly health .
” We need to foster partnerships among government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations.”
He revealed that the Ministry’s National Health Promotion Policy is designed to empower citizens and enhance health literacy nationwide.
The Minister said the policy will promote community education on disease prevention and healthy living; improve nationwide campaign on hygiene, nutrition, mental health, and physical fitness; early detection programs for chronic diseases; and the inclusion of health education in school curricula.
“It will also foster collaboration among government agencies, private organizations, traditional leaders, and international partners to strengthen public health awareness.”
According to the Minister, health promotion remains central to achieving universal health coverage, reducing disease burden and improving national productivity.
The 2025 National Health Promotion Day, themed ” “Health Promotion: The Catalyst for Sustainable Health and Well-being of Nigerians 2.0” and the slogan “Promoting Healthy Choices for Healthy Lifestyles,” according to the minister, it highlights the role of prevention and community health awareness in building a healthier nation.
“Our slogan is a call to action for every Nigerian- to make informed decisions about what we eat, how we live, and how we care for our environment, ” Pate said.
Prof. Pate said this year’s “2.0” version of the theme represents a digital upgrade in the delivery of health promotion interventions.
“The government is now leveraging digital innovations such as mobile health applications, telemedicine platforms, SMS awareness campaigns and online learning tools to reach underserved populations and ensure that accurate health information is accessible to all Nigerians.”
Prof. Pate said the government was prioritizing health promotion as the foundation of preventive care, noting that many life-threatening diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and other non-communicable illnesses could be prevented through lifestyle changes and community awareness.
The minister stressed that health promotion is the foundation of preventive care, noting that many life-threatening diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable illnesses can be prevented through lifestyle changes and community awareness.
He added that it is more cost-effective than treatment, stating that for every ₦1 invested in prevention, the country saves ₦6 in treatment costs.
According to him, Nigeria became the first country in the world to institutionalize National Health Promotion Day on October 29 2024, demonstrating the nation’s leadership in advancing public health and preventive medicine.
He added that the commemoration has now become a national platform for mobilizing stakeholders around health awareness and community wellness.
Prof. Pate also underscored the role of traditional and religious leaders in promoting health-seeking behaviour, while advocating for the use of digital platforms to monitor and amplify public health messages.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles as a national priority.
In her remarks, the Director of the Family Health Department, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, urged Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyles by making informed decisions about diet, physical activity, hygiene, and environmental sanitation.
She emphasized that preventive healthcare is a major pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing health promotion as a sustainable and cost-effective approach to reducing disease burden, boosting productivity, and enhancing quality of life.
Ukaire added that the Ministry would continue to drive a multisectoral approach by integrating health promotion into public policies across education, labour, environment, and housing sectors.
She also commended local and international partners for their sustained collaboration in strengthening community health systems.
