FG Launches Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Brain and Spine Healthcare in Nigeria

FG launches a decade-long neurological health plan with new brain and spine care centers, digital tools, and equitable access goals at the 2025 Neurological Health Summit in Abuja.

In a landmark announcement, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a visionary 10-year plan aimed at overhauling the nation's neurological healthcare system. The ambitious strategy, revealed at the Africa Neurological Health Summit 2025 held in Abuja, marks a significant commitment to improving brain and spine health nationwide.
With neurological conditions like epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal cord injuries affecting millions of Nigerians, the government is shifting gears towards a future of comprehensive care, digital innovation, and equitable access to neurological services.

Speaking at the summit, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, represented by Dr. Ahmed Yakasai, outlined the Federal Government’s five-pronged approach to building a resilient, inclusive, and tech-driven neurological care system. These five pillars reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda and align with global best practices, including the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan (WHO-IGAP) 2022–2031.
1. Establishment of a National Neurological Health Framework
The first pillar focuses on creating a unified National Neurological Health Framework. This framework will introduce standardized protocols for diagnosis and treatment, outcome-based indicators, and quality assurance systems that will span from primary to tertiary healthcare levels.
This move is set to address the inconsistency in neurological care delivery across Nigeria, ensuring that patients, whether in urban hospitals or rural clinics, receive timely, evidence-based treatment.

2. Workforce and Infrastructure Development
Recognizing the severe shortage of trained neurologists and specialists, the second pillar centers on expanding the neurological workforce and upgrading medical infrastructure. Dr. Anas emphasized the importance of targeted training programs, partnerships with teaching hospitals, and equitable deployment of specialists to underserved regions.
This includes:
Upskilling general practitioners in neuro-care
Creating training pipelines through university collaborations
Investing in modern medical equipment for neurological diagnosis and treatment
The goal is to bridge the gap between urban tertiary hospitals and rural healthcare centers, where neurological services are often lacking or completely absent.

3. Expansion of Health Financing for Neurological Conditions
For many Nigerians, out-of-pocket medical expenses remain a major barrier to accessing quality care. The third component of the FG’s plan aims to ease the financial burden through the creation of a specialized neurology benefit package under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This benefit package will cover diagnostic tests, drug therapies, physiotherapy, and surgical procedures related to neurological disorders. According to Dr. Anas, making these services more affordable is crucial to increasing uptake and saving lives.

4. Embracing Tele-Neurology and Digital Health Innovation
In a major leap toward digital health transformation, the fourth pillar is centered on the development and deployment of tele-neurology platforms and other digital tools. These technologies will enable remote consultations, real-time monitoring, and AI-assisted diagnostics, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas. Tele-neurology will connect patients with specialists in real time, reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment, particularly for acute conditions like stroke or epilepsy.
By reducing travel times, minimizing cost, and enhancing access, digital tools will play a central role in making neurological healthcare truly universal and accessible.

5. Promoting Brain Health Equity and Public Advocacy
Beyond clinical care, the fifth pillar involves public advocacy, anti-stigma campaigns, and social inclusion initiatives. Dr. Anas stressed that neurological conditions are not only a medical issue but also a social challenge, with many patients facing discrimination, neglect, and abandonment due to stigma.
To tackle this, the government will:

• Partner with civil society organizations and faith-based groups
• Launch media awareness campaigns
• Support patient advocacy networks
• Promote brain health education in schools and communities

As part of immediate action, the FG has already commissioned three state-of-the-art neurological centers in Kano, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri.
These centers are equipped to handle complex neurological cases, including

• Epileptic seizures
• Stroke emergencies
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain infections and tumors

Each center is supported by nearby university teaching hospitals to ensure a continuous supply of trained neurologists and specialized caregivers.
These centers serve as regional hubs in Nigeria’s new neurological care network, offering both inpatient and outpatient services, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and telemedicine.

Beyond infrastructure and policy, Dr. Anas issued a clarion call for cross-sector collaboration. She urged:

• State governments to establish and fund neurology units at the sub-national level
• Health insurers to prioritize neurological care in their offerings
• The media and civil society help reshape public perception and reduce stigma
• Global development partners to fund technology, research, and capacity-building aligned with Nigeria’s goals

According to her, tackling the burden of neurological diseases requires a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.

“This is the dawn of a truly intentional and inclusive approach to brain and spine health in Nigeria,” Dr. Anas declared. “We must move from dialogue to measurable, time-bound action.”

Dr. Mya Ngon, the team lead for communicable and non-communicable diseases at the WHO Nigeria Office, was also present at the summit and pledged the World Health Organization’s unwavering support. She commended Nigeria’s comprehensive strategy and emphasized that sustainable partnerships are vital to scale up interventions and achieve tangible results.

“At WHO, we recommit to working with the Federal Ministry of Health and key stakeholders to ensure that those living with neurological disorders in Nigeria can access affordable, quality care and rehabilitation services,” Dr. Ngon said.

She noted that the summit offers a powerful platform to build consensus on policy implementation and collaborative solutions. For Nigeria’s neurological health reform to be successful, data-driven policymaking and continuous research will be key.
Stakeholders at the summit agreed that the government must invest in:

• Epidemiological research to understand the burden of neurological diseases
• Clinical trials for brain and spine treatments
• AI-powered diagnostic tools
• Digital registries for patients and outcomes monitoring

Such innovations will allow Nigeria to not only track progress but also anticipate future challenges in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
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The 2025 Africa Neurological Health Summit concluded with a united pledge to place brain and spine health at the heart of Africa’s public health agenda. Delegates called for

• Time-bound action plans at both national and continental levels
• Strengthening of regional neurological networks
• Policy harmonization among African Union member states
• Greater involvement of private sector and tech innovators

In a continent where neurological disorders are often overlooked, Nigeria’s bold move may serve as a model for other African nations seeking to modernize their health systems. For the millions of Nigerians silently battling neurological diseases, many without diagnosis, treatment, or support, the Federal Government’s new roadmap signals a new dawn of hope. With investments in policy, people, technology, and infrastructure, Nigeria is taking an unprecedented step toward building a healthier, more inclusive future. If fully implemented and sustained over the next decade, the brain and spine healthcare transformation could save countless lives, reduce disabilities, and place Nigeria among the global leaders in neurological care reform.


By PrimeLineInfo