FG establishes SCO-PMU to oversee $2.2 billion health sector renewal initiative

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) within the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

This initiative aims to ensure the efficient, transparent, and accountable management of external grants for the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

Ajuri Ngelale, a spokesperson for the president, announced the approval in a statement on Friday, while disclosing the appointment of Muntaqa Sadiq as the National Coordinator of the SCO-PMU. Sadiq will lead the unit, which will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the NHSRII.

The SCO-PMU will report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee chaired by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare. This committee will include the Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and relevant development partners.

The functions of the SCO-PMU include programme management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) for NHSRII programmes, and fiduciary management.

Muntaqa Sadiq brings over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing across various sectors. His previous roles include Head of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, CEO of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, Head of the Nigeria Energy Transition Office, and Private Sector Engagement Adviser at the World Bank.

Dr. Umar Sadiq, a doctoral candidate in public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also holds an M.Phil in Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge and a medical science/MBBS degree from Imperial College, London.

The NHSRII, unveiled on December 12, 2023, following the adoption of the sector-wide policy by the National Council on Health in November 2023, aims to improve population health outcomes and the country’s pool of human capital. Its primary objectives are saving lives, minimizing physical and financial pain, and ensuring the health of all Nigerians.

To date, $2.2 billion has been mobilized in external financing to support the implementation of the NHSRII, with financial commitments from various development partners.