Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has positioned healthcare investment as a primary catalyst for job creation and national productivity during a landmark agreement signing in Abuja.
The agreement, reached between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and MedServe, aims to scale up diagnostic, oncology, and cardiology services across the country.
Speaking at the event, Minister Edun stated that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy to modernize social infrastructure through strategic public-private partnerships. He noted that recent budgetary improvements demonstrate a dedicated focus on building a more resilient healthcare system.
The Minister pointed to the expansion of the NSIA oncology network as evidence that Nigeria can develop world-class medical facilities locally. He argued that these assets are essential for retaining capital within the country and reversing the multibillion-dollar annual loss attributed to medical tourism.
“Healthcare is not just a social necessity; it is a critical sector for economic growth,” Edun said. “By strengthening our domestic capacity, we are not only saving lives but also boosting productivity, creating high-value jobs, and ensuring long-term human capital development.”
The Minister also praised the IFC for providing the financing and technical expertise necessary to unlock private investment. He described the partnership as a scalable model for the continent, noting additional support from the World Bank.
Concluding his remarks, Edun called for the NSIA-MedServe framework to be replicated in other sectors of the economy, citing it as a successful template for inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience.
