Announcements

The Executive Chairman of the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NISPHFA), Dr. Abdullahi Suleiman, has reassured stakeholders in the private health sector that the Agency was established to protect Private health establishments from undue interference, harassment, and exploitation, while promoting fairness and professionalism across the system. Dr. Suleiman gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the office of the Director of Primary Health Care in Gurara Local Government Area, where he emphasized that the Agency is designed to serve as a regulatory and supportive body rather than a punitive institution. He explained that the Agency was officially established on May 21st, 2025, following the Governor’s assent to the bill, marking a transition from the former regulatory board to a more structured and legally backed institution. According to him, the Agency now oversees the licensing, regulation, and monitoring of Private hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and other non-governmental health facilities across the State. The Chairman noted that the Agency’s core mandate includes ensuring quality and patient safety through the enforcement of minimum standards in staffing, equipment, hygiene, and service delivery. He added that it will also promote accountability by investigating complaints, sanctioning quack practices, and shutting down unsafe facilities where necessary. Highlighting the importance of the private sector, Dr. Suleiman stated that over 60 percent of healthcare services in Nigeria are delivered by private providers, stressing the need for effective collaboration. He described Primary Health Care as the first point of contact for most, health seekers, underscoring the critical role of PHC Directors as gatekeepers at the grassroots level. He further disclosed that the Agency will serve as a unified platform to give Private health operators a voice, protect them from multiple taxation, and foster partnerships with government under national health initiatives. This Agency is not established to threaten anyone but to ensure standards and create a safe, accountable system that benefits both providers and patients, he said. Dr. Suleiman also announced key reforms, including mandatory registration through relevant professional associations, the introduction of Continuous Medical Education (CME) programmes, and the digitalization of all payments to eliminate cash transactions. He added that certificates issued by the Agency will carry secure features such as barcodes to verify authenticity. He revealed that the Agency will conduct periodic unannounced inspections and establish task forces across all Local Government Areas to address quackery and non-compliance. He assured stakeholders that whistleblowers’ identities would be protected and announced a one-month window for facility registration and revalidation. In his remarks, the Director of Primary Health Care in Gurara LGA, Idris Abdulkadir, commended the State government for establishing the Agency, describing it as a long-awaited intervention for the private health sector. He noted that despite years of neglect, some private providers have continued to support services such as immunization and data reporting, and called for their inclusion in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. Other stakeholders at the meeting called for clearer regulatory guidelines across Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary care levels, as well as strategies to address unregistered home-based practices. They also welcomed the introduction of Continuos Medical Education(CME) Programmes as a step toward improving service . The NISPHFA team also extended its advocacy visits to the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Umaru Musa Yar’adua Memorial Hospital and PHC Basic Health Clinic, Sabon Wuse in Tafa LGA, Berith Specialist Hospital, and UNIS Laboratory in Suleja, where discussions focused on strengthening collaboration, improving data management, and integrating private providers into State health programmes.

The newly appointed Executive Chairman of the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency, Dr. Suleiman Abdullahi, has issued a one-month ultimatum to all private health facility owners in the State to register or revalidate their operational licenses, as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare standards and regulatory compliance. Dr. Abdullahi made this known during a phone-in radio programme on Prestige FM, marking his first official public engagement since assuming office. He announced that the compliance window will run from 1st of April to 1st May, 2026, warning that facilities operating outside the regulatory framework will face sanctions. According to him, all private health establishments including hospitals, clinics, and health-related service providers not owned by the government, fall under the regulatory mandate of the agency. He stressed that licensing is not optional, describing unlicensed practice as a serious violation of medical ethics and public safety standards. According to him, any facility operating without proper registration or valid license is acting outside the law. Even qualified practitioners must be duly licensed and renew their certification annually in line with regulatory requirements, he stated. The Executive Chairman explained that the Agency has been restructured into six functional units, comprising both technical and non-technical departments, with core focus on Monitoring, Inspection, and Operations. These units, he noted, will be responsible for routine and unannounced inspections of health facilities across the State. He further disclosed that one of the Agency’s immediate priorities is to conduct a comprehensive census of private health facilities to determine the exact number, identify those operating legally, and clamp down on unregistered and substandard establishments. Dr. Abdullahi also clarified the boundaries of regulatory responsibilities, noting that while Pharmacies and Patent medicine stores within private health facilities fall under the Agency’s oversight, standalone Pharmaceutical outlets remain under the jurisdiction of relevant professional bodies. However, he emphasized that the Agency will collaborate with such bodies where cases of malpractice arise. To ensure effective grassroots monitoring, the Agency plans to partner with Local Government health departments, leveraging their proximity and knowledge of communities. He added that facility owners must meet strict criteria before registration, including structural standards, qualified staffing, and proof of professional licensing. In addition to registration, facilities are required to display their certificates visibly. Failure to do so will attract penalties adding that the Agency will also conduct periodic unannounced inspections at least two to three times annually to ensure sustained compliance, he said. Dr. Abdullahi highlighted that the initiative aligns with the New Niger Health Agenda of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, aimed at improving access to quality, safe, and affordable healthcare services. He noted that private healthcare providers contribute between 30 to 40 percent of service delivery in the State, underscoring the need for effective regulation. He called on residents to support the Agency by reporting illegal or substandard practices, describing healthcare regulation as a collective responsibility. He reiterated that the goal is not to punish but to ensure that all Nigerlites receive healthcare services that meet acceptable standards and to support facility owners while safeguarding public health. The Executive Chairman expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders for their support, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to delivering internationally compliant healthcare standards across Niger State.

The Executive Chairman of the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NiSPHFA), Dr. Abdullahi Suleiman, has reiterated that the establishment of the Agency by the State Government was designed to foster mutual benefits between the government and private health facilities. Dr. Suleiman made this known during a tripartite meeting involving the Executive Director of the Niger State Drugs and Hospitals Consumables Management Agency (NSDHCMA) and the Association of Private Clinic Practitioners of Nigeria (APCPN). The meeting was held recently at the Drugs Management Agency in Minna. He explained that the Agency is committed to building strong collaboration frameworks that will attract grants from international donors, and government interventions, to benefit private health establishments across the State. The Executive Chairman further noted that Private health facilities play a critical role in delivering essential healthcare services, including malaria treatment, family planning, HIV/AIDS care, and other interventions. He emphasized the importance of generating quality health data from these facilities to complement government records and support evidence-based planning for improved health outcomes. Highlighting a key proposal, Dr. Suleiman disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Drugs Management Agency to introduce a drug amnesty initiative. The scheme, he said, would allow Private hospitals to access essential medicines at subsidized rates, with flexible payment arrangements to ease financial burdens and ensure uninterrupted service delivery. In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Drugs Management Agency, Pharm. (Dr.) Umar Ndagi, announced that the State has over 1,500 government-owned Primary Health Care facilities, in addition to numerous private facilities, underscoring the need for a robust and reliable drug supply system. He explained that the Agency was established following recommendations by USAID to serve as a regulatory and supply chain mechanism to curb the circulation of substandard and fake drugs. Since becoming operational in 2015, the Agency has focused on ensuring access to affordable, safe, and quality essential medicines. According to him, the Agency has so far achieved about 35 percent coverage in Secondary Health Care facilities and expanded services to 428 Primary Health Care Centres as of March 2026. He expressed optimism that coverage would reach 80 percent by 2027. Dr. Ndagi also revealed plans to extend similar opportunities to Private Health Care providers, including access to drugs on a deferred payment basis, subject to a minimal commitment fee to cover logistics and security costs. He stressed that sustainability remains a priority, adding that the Agency would soon commence drug quality assessments in private facilities to ensure compliance with standards. He clarified that the exercise is not intended as a punitive measure but as part of efforts to safeguard public health. The Executive Director further disclosed ongoing collaborations with relevant agencies, including efforts to address drug abuse among youths, while strengthening a unified supply chain system to enhance monitoring and decision-making across the State. Responding, the Chairman of the Association of Private Clinic Practitioners of Nigeria (APCPN), Ambassador Tanko kaburu, commended the initiative, particularly the proposed drug amnesty scheme, describing it as a significant step toward supporting private healthcare providers. He assured that members of the Association would be adequately informed to take advantage of the intervention. Information Unit NiSPHFA 14/04/2026

The Executive Chairman of the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NISPHFA), Dr. Suleiman Abdullahi, has urged members of the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors to comply with newly introduced policies aimed at sanitizing the healthcare sector, eliminating illegal activities, and protecting patient safety across the state. Dr. Abdullahi made the call while receiving delegations from the two associations during separate visits to his office in Minna. He stressed that no individual or group should operate any health facility without proper registration or valid license revalidation, warning that defaulters would face sanctions. The Executive Chairman also announced an additional one-week extension of the registration deadline, encouraging operators of private health facilities to take advantage of the opportunity to regularize their status or risk facing the consequences of non-compliance. In their separate remarks, the leadership of both associations expressed appreciation to the agency for its engagement and assured the state government of their readiness to comply with the new regulations in the interest of restoring sanity and professionalism in the healthcare sector. Information Unit, NiSPHFA 16/04/2026

The Executive Chairman of the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NiSPHFA), Dr. Abdullahi Suleiman, has called for stronger collaboration with the Niger State Urban Development Board to enhance the regulation and standardization of private health facilities across the State. Dr. Suleiman made the call during a courtesy visit to the Board, where he emphasized that effective regulation of private healthcare responsible for over 80 percent of service delivery requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. He explained that NiSPHFA was established to register, regulate, and ensure compliance with standards among private health facilities, with a strong focus on patient safety and quality service delivery. According to him, the involvement of the Urban Development Board is crucial, particularly in ensuring that facilities meet required structural and infrastructural standards. The Executive Chairman outlined key licensing requirements, including professional certification, evidence of tax payment, ground rent, and successful on-the-spot inspections. He stressed that the Agency would not compromise on standards, noting that any facility found structurally unfit would not be approved, regardless of its professional credentials. “Our major objective is to promote ethics and ensure that private health facilities operate within acceptable standards,” he said. Dr. Suleiman also used the opportunity to present the Agency’s operational and regulatory guidelines to the Director-General of the Board, as part of efforts to deepen institutional collaboration. Addressing concerns raised by private facility operators over multiple taxation, he urged the Board to develop lasting solutions to the issue. In response, the Director-General of the Niger State Urban Development Board, Abdulrahman J.G. Muhammad Chata, commended the initiative and assured the Agency of the Board’s full support. He noted that the establishment of NiSPHFA was timely, given existing challenges in the private health sector, and expressed confidence in the Agency’s capacity to drive reforms. Chata further disclosed that Staff of the Board would work closely with NiSPHFA during facility inspections to ensure compliance with building and infrastructural standards. Also speaking, the Director Operations of NiSPHFA, Dr. Sadiq Hussaini, called for sustained guidance and synergy between both institutions, noting that their mandates are closely aligned. Information Unit NiSPHFA 24/04/2026