In a move to ensure effective management of external grants for the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU).
This unit will be housed in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
The SCO-PMU will be responsible for the transparent and accountable management of funds allocated to the NHSRII. It will report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee, chaired by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and will include representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and relevant development partners.
The SCO-PMU will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the NHSRII, with a national coordinator heading the unit.
The unit’s responsibilities will include program management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents for NHSRII programs, and fiduciary management.
Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq has been appointed as the National Coordinator of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit.
With over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing, Dr. Umar Sadiq brings a wealth of expertise to the role.
His previous positions include Head of 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.
He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The NHSRII, launched on December 12, 2023, aims to improve population health outcomes and enhance Nigeria’s human capital. The initiative seeks to save lives, reduce physical and financial burdens, and ensure the well-being of all Nigerians.
To support its implementation, $2.2 billion in external financing has been secured through commitments from various development partners.
This step taken by President Tinubu demonstrates his commitment to revitalizing the health sector and ensuring the successful implementation of the NHSRII.
With the establishment of the SCO-PMU and the appointment of Dr. Umar Sadiq as the National Coordinator, Nigeria is poised to make significant strides in improving healthcare delivery and achieving better health outcomes for its citizens.
