In July 2025, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) threatened to withdraw its license to train dental surgeons from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). This threat was because of outdated infrastructure, the lack of modern clinical training equipment, and insufficient laboratory space at UNN. The MDCN’s potential withdrawal of its license from UNN would put over 60 million people living in the eastern part of Nigeria at medical risk. Thankfully, Peter Obi’s donation averted the withdrawal. In a statement, World Health Organization Acting Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed that only 17 percent of the region has access to essential oral health care services. This statement emphasizes the problem at UNN, exposing the reality of the broader healthcare system in Nigeria. The poor state of Nigeria’s healthcare system threatens citizens’ right to life. There must be urgent steps to reform the system and safeguard the right to life. The adoption of hospitals, public-private partnerships, and constant donations to medical centers by philanthropists can help to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The adoption of hospitals is a significant step that could help to improve the healthcare system in Nigeria. Besides one-off donations, wealthy individuals can adopt public health facilities and commit to their consistent maintenance and funding. For example, Bill Gates, through the Gates Foundation, supports primary healthcare systems through adequate long-term funding and strengthening their operations. Bill Gates’ support has improved access to quality healthcare, especially for individuals who cannot afford advanced health facilities. Similarly, the adoption of hospitals by wealthy individuals in Nigeria can relieve the funding and maintenance burden on the government, ensuring a higher quality of care for citizens.
Philanthropists can donate to universities and teaching hospitals to help upgrade their infrastructure, including modern clinical training equipment that meets global standards. To avoid the misappropriation of funds, philanthropists can create a trust fund that third parties can manage, donate equipment, or sponsor projects. Like Peter Obi’s donation, donations from private citizens or foundations could directly fund a new dental lab at UNN, preventing the loss of its accreditation and ensuring the continuous training of new doctors. Another example of such donations is the recent donation of medical equipment to two medical centers in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, by Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza. Donors should monitor and ensure the efficient management of funds and proper maintenance of equipment by beneficiary institutions. Donors can do this by visiting the institutions occasionally to inspect projects and the state of affairs.
Nigeria can also improve its public healthcare system through public-private partnerships (PPPs). PPPs in the health sector have proved successful in other countries. For example, in 2025, the Ministry of Health of Lesotho adopted a PPP initiative with Tsepong for the Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital and four primary care clinics that make up the Lesotho health network. Through this initiative, the Ministry of Health of Lesotho has provided better health services to its citizens. With the adoption of advanced medical technology, Lesotho’s healthcare system became the first and largest integrated system in sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative also created white- and blue-collar jobs for medical personnel and other professionals. Similarly, Nigeria can build a model that allows private individuals and organizations to partner with the government to revive the healthcare system. This will enable citizens to experience quality healthcare and safeguard their right to life.
The right to life is supreme, and without quality healthcare, it is at risk. Improving the healthcare system in Nigeria is fundamental to safeguarding this right. To improve the healthcare system, Nigeria should focus on local solutions while adopting helpful strategies applicable to Nigeria from other countries.
Hannah Dennis is a writing fellow at African Liberty.
Article first appeared in Blueprint Newspapers.
Photo by ASphotofamily via Freepik.