In a significant move to overhaul Nigeria's healthcare delivery, the Federal Government has officially inaugurated a high-level National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety. The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, January 16, 2026.
A Strategic Pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda
Professor Pate stated that this initiative is a direct implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. The task force is designed to be a cornerstone in strengthening service delivery and improving health outcomes for all Nigerians. Its primary objective is to develop and operationalise sustainable structures, standards, and accountability mechanisms for clinical governance and patient safety across the entire national health system.
The National Task Force will serve as a strategic platform for integrating quality and patient safety into all aspects of health service delivery, the Minister emphasised. He noted that this focus aligns with urgent global calls from bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank, and The Lancet Global Health Commission. These organisations urge low- and middle-income countries to move beyond merely providing access to care and instead prioritise high-quality, people-centred healthcare.
Broad Mandate and Key Responsibilities
The task force has been given a comprehensive mandate to transform Nigeria's healthcare landscape. Its work is expected to directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.8, which targets access to quality essential health services, and support the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
Professor Pate outlined that the body will champion a cultural shift within the health sector, moving towards continuous improvement, active learning, and capacity building, rather than a culture of blame. Its specific responsibilities include:
- Conducting a national analysis of the current state of clinical governance and patient safety.
- Developing and standardising national frameworks and policies.
- Strengthening systems to prevent, report, and respond to adverse medical events.
- Promoting adherence to evidence-based clinical standards and ethical practices.
- Institutionalising a culture of quality and safety at all healthcare levels.
- Supporting capacity building for health workers and managers.
- Enhancing patient and community engagement through robust feedback mechanisms.
Additionally, the task force will establish national performance indicators, improve coordination between federal, state, regulatory, and private sector stakeholders, and ensure confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
Leadership and Composition
The task force will be chaired by Professor Muhammad Pate himself, with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, serving as the alternate chair. Its membership is drawn from a wide spectrum of the health sector to ensure comprehensive representation.
Members include the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, directors of relevant departments, and the heads of regulatory councils for medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and medical laboratory science. The team also incorporates representatives from professional associations, civil society organisations, patient safety groups, tertiary health institutions, state governments, and both Nigerian and international centres of clinical governance expertise. The minister indicated that other specialists could be brought on board as needed.
This diverse group is expected to pool their expertise, experience, and resources to fundamentally strengthen clinical governance and dramatically improve patient safety throughout Nigeria's health system.
