FG Pushes Local Production of Diagnostic Technologies to Strengthen Nigeria’s Healthcare System

By Aminu Muhammad, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local content in the production and deployment of diagnostic technologies as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made this known during his keynote address at the 2026 National Summit on Diagnostics held in Abuja. The summit, themed “Strengthening Partnerships and Local Content for Integrated Diagnostics,” brought together key stakeholders in the health sector.

Dr. Salako described diagnostics as the foundation of modern healthcare, noting that strengthening diagnostic capacity is a strategic investment in the efficiency, credibility, and performance of the nation’s health system.

According to him, accurate and timely diagnosis plays a critical role in disease prevention, early detection, effective treatment, and continuous patient monitoring.

He explained that globally, a significant proportion of clinical decisions rely on diagnostic results, highlighting the need to build a resilient and sustainable diagnostic system in Nigeria capable of delivering better health outcomes.

The minister added that strengthening the country’s diagnostics ecosystem goes beyond infrastructure. He said it also requires strong governance, skilled personnel, functional laboratory networks, effective regulation, and sustainable financing.

Dr. Salako further stressed the importance of promoting local innovation and domestic production of diagnostic equipment and in-vitro diagnostic products, noting that such investments would boost national health security, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

He added that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, transforming Nigeria’s health sector remains a top priority, with diagnostics playing a key role in the reform agenda.