JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Mukhtar to Lead Presidential Healthcare Initiative

President Bola Tinubu has made a significant move in the healthcare sector by appointing Dr. Abdu Mukhtar as the National Coordinator of the Presidential ‘Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain’ Initiative. This announcement, released on Tuesday, was made by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, and it signals a pivotal step towards bolstering the nation’s healthcare-delivery system and attracting substantial investments.

In his role, Dr. Mukhtar will oversee the initiative, which is now housed within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The primary aim of this initiative is to foster “cross-ministerial collaboration” to revamp various aspects of the healthcare system, including Health Product manufacturing, Health Logistics services, Health Technology services, Health Retail services (e-Commerce), Health Provider facilitation, and Health Payor reform (Third Party Administrators & Insurers).

Dr. Mukhtar brings a wealth of experience to this task, having previously served as the Director of Industry & Trade Development at the African Development Bank (AfDB). Before that, he held the position of Group Chief Strategy Officer at the Dangote Group of Industries, where he played a pivotal role in the conglomerate’s expansion into fourteen African countries, along with significant joint ventures in the power, oil & gas, and agriculture sectors. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the FCTA’s Abuja Investment Company Limited from 2007 to 2011.

Dr. Mukhtar’s impressive educational background includes a Doctorate in Biotechnology from Boston University (USA), a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School (USA), a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Medical Degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

With this appointment, President Tinubu aims to unlock substantial investments that will drive positive changes in the nation’s healthcare landscape. Dr. Mukhtar’s extensive experience and educational qualifications position him as a key figure in this important endeavor.