80th UNGA: Tinubu Calls For Global Action On NCDs, Mental Health
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has urged world leaders to scale up investments and partnerships in tackling the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promoting mental health, warning that the challenges threaten productivity, economic stability, and social cohesion across developing nations.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and The Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tinubu, represented by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako said Nigeria aligns with the African Group’s position on the urgent need for accelerated global action.
“Particularly troubling is the growing prevalence of NCDs among the young, leading to the loss of productive years and negative economic impacts,” the President said, noting that NCDs now account for nearly 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria.
Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts, the President outlined the establishment of a National NCD Policy, a Multisectoral Action Plan, prevention and treatment guidelines, introduced targeted laws to address key factors, expanded health insurance for catastrophic diseases, built capacity among health professionals and, the strengthening of primary health care.
He disclosed that six cancer centres of excellence have been built and over 14 million adolescent girls, 96 percent of the target population, have been immunized against HPV to prevent cervical cancer.
“Our task-shifting and referral policies have also helped extend services to more people”, the President further affirmed.
On mental health, Tinubu pointed to the 2023 Mental Health Act, which provides a framework for promoting mental health, protecting rights, and integrating services into primary care. He added that Nigeria has developed a suicide prevention strategy focused on decriminalisation, destigmatisation, and support for vulnerable groups.
Despite progress, he admitted that Nigeria continues to grapple with funding gaps, weak infrastructure, and inadequate data collection. He called for stronger global partnerships to close gaps in access to medicines, technologies, and public health infrastructure, while urging lawmakers worldwide to adopt legislative and fiscal measures supportive of health reforms.
Speaking further, the President also appealed for greater visibility and attention to sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects Africa.
“Looking forward, Nigeria is committed to strengthening our health systems, prioritizing prevention, and ensuring mental health receives the prominence it deserves within our national agenda,” Tinubu affirmed. “With global solidarity and renewed investments, we can reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 and promote mental health and well-being for all.”
