By Nafisat Makinde
On May 8, 2025, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Mrs. Ladidi K. Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of Nutrition, were honored as two of the world’s most influential individuals in global health by TIME100 Health, a prestigious list published by TIME magazine.
Prof. Pate’s Achievements:
- Led a major overhaul of Nigeria’s health sector under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on improved governance, better health outcomes, and health security
- Initiated the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, strengthening accountability and ensuring sustainable improvements in healthcare outcomes
- Prioritized primary healthcare revitalization, enhanced maternal and child health services, and rolled out the malaria vaccine nationwide
- Focused on building a resilient health workforce to better respond to national health challenges
Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi’s Achievements:
- Successfully implemented the National Nutrition Policy, aiming to reduce malnutrition and improve health outcomes for women and children
- Led the rollout of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) programme, providing pregnant women with essential vitamins and minerals
- Expanded large-scale food fortification programmes and advocated for nutrition-sensitive, gender-responsive social protection policies
- Worked with the private sector to fortify bouillon cubes with micronutrients, improving nutrition outcomes for children
This dual recognition highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership and underscores the impact of Prof. Pate and Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi’s work in transforming health systems and improving lives worldwide.
