The minister of state for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu was committed to eliminating medical tourism.

Dr Salako stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has increased the budgetary allocation for health this year to eliminate medical tourism.

The minister, who stated this yesterday when he visited the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital and National Ear Care Centre in Kaduna for routine supervision of equipment, explained that

Tinubu increased the budgetary allocation for health this year with the sole aim of eliminating medical tourism.
Salako also said that the budgetary allocation will reduce cost of controlled drugs and other medical consumables via issuing of waiver and a holistic change of mechanism in the recruitment process and addressing japa syndrome.

“The federal government budget for eye care surgery across Nigeria is hinged on what National Eye Centre Kaduna can do. It means that this hospital is strategic in the implementation of that aspect of the budget. The staff of this hospital must rededicate themselves to work”.

He, therefore, charged the hospital to develop and maintain more robust community relations.

“I still feel this hospital is not doing enough because we still have a sizable number of Nigerians with preventable blindness, cataract and so many others. I want you to increase your penetration to the communities,” he said.

At the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, the minister urged the hospital to liaise with the Kaduna State Government on Mental Health Services to ensure effective service delivery at the grassroots.

At the Ear Care Centre, Salako said team work is needed to achieve positive results.

The federal government has approved the creation of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, a key initiative designed to unlock the immense economic potential of Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries through a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

 

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced the development on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

She described it as a major step toward transforming the nation’s creative landscape.

 

“This initiative aims to propel Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries to new heights by developing critical infrastructure that will boost economic growth and global soft power,” Musawa said.

 

Established in October 2024, the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy has been tasked with fostering creativity and innovation to enhance Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.

 

Musawa emphasised that the new corporation will serve as a “special-purpose vehicle” for identifying, deploying, and financing critical infrastructure within the creative sector, addressing long-standing challenges.

 

“We all know that Nigeria’s creativity attracts global attention, and the President has been intentional about diversifying the government’s focus to include the creative industry and innovation,” she said.

 

Key objectives of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation include generating $100 billion in GDP growth and creating at least two million jobs, particularly for Nigeria’s youth.

 

Development partners and stakeholders from around the world have been engaged to support the innovative infrastructure and financing approaches required for the project.

 

Highlighting the infrastructure gap that has limited the sector’s growth, Musawa cited last December’s “Detty December” celebrations in Lagos as an example of Nigeria’s creative potential. “Imagine the impact if such events had the necessary infrastructure to support their growth,” she said.

 

Several large-scale projects have been outlined under the initiative, including:The creation of an Abuja resort range, expansion of Yankari Game Reserve,development of an Abuja Creator City,construction of 5,000 new cinema screens,establishment of a Wole Soyinka Center for African Arts in Lagos,a nationwide digital distribution network and upgrades to the National Gallery and national arena capacity

 

One notable project is the construction of a national museum in Abuja. “Imagine the Giant of Africa without a museum in its capital city—this is a gap we are determined to fill,” Musawa said.

 

The initiative also includes plans to position Nollywood as a global destination for film production and develop a world-class music arena.

 

Musawa expressed optimism for the future. “This is a wonderful day for Nigeria’s tourism and creative industries. By bridging the infrastructure gap and fostering a new mindset, we can fully realize the economic value of these sectors and deliver widespread benefits to the Nigerian public.”

The World Arts, Culture and Tourism Congress (WACT CONGRESS) has said the Nigeria Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit will attract investment into the sector.

The Summit, set to take place in Abuja from April 8 to 12, 2025, will serve as a prelude to the ambitious Culture Olympics project, a joint initiative by the Osun State Tourism Board and Atkingdom International Foundation.

Since its unveiling on May 2, 2024, the WACT CONGRESS has received strong support from government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.

The international significance of the event was further emphasised by the presence of notable dignitaries such as director of Economy, Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi; director of ECOWAS Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olawale Awe; among others.

Also, delegates from over 50 countries and all 36 states of Nigeria are expected to participate.

Director-general of WACT CONGRESS, Prince Dr. Yomi Otukoya highlighted the event’s importance in shaping the future of Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector, saying that this summit is not just an event; it is a legacy-building initiative that will redefine the way Nigerian and African culture is experienced globally.’

Otukoya expressed enthusiasm for the global collaboration, stating that the event will provide a unique platform for investors, cultural enthusiasts, and tourism stakeholders to engage in transformative discussions.

The PR coordinator of WACT CONGRESS, Armstrong Tillie revealed that, “a special delegate team will embark on a global Stakeholder Awareness Tour between February and March 2025. The tour will cover key locations in the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Italy, Brazil, and South Africa to mobilise participation and explore partnership opportunities.

“The summit is expected to attract prominent figures, with Nyesome Wike serving as the chief host, while the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, is set to deliver the keynote address.”

Tillie added that “the Nigeria Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit is expected to be a milestone event, driving significant investment and positioning Nigeria as a leading cultural tourism destination.”

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has described the new healthcare infrastructure at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, as a strategic move to reduce the number of Nigerians seeking medical treatment abroad.

The minister, who stated this yesterday during the commissioning of the new healthcare infrastructure in Abuja, highlighted the significance of the facilities in enhancing the country’s tertiary healthcare capabilities.

The additions include a 64-bed ward extension and a state-of-the-art clinical services complex with a dedicated renal unit. The new clinical services complex features 18 hemodialysis beds and is set to launch a renal transplantation programme in the coming weeks.

Dr. Salako said that the advancement is expected to significantly reduce the reliance on foreign medical services for critical care needs such as kidney transplants, the minister said.

“This development is a critical step towards reducing travel abroad by providing advanced medical care within the country. With facilities like these, we are ensuring that Nigerians can access world-class healthcare services without the need to travel overseas,” he said.

The minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting healthcare institutions through policies and resource mobilisation to improve healthcare delivery.

He noted that ongoing initiatives to make critical healthcare services more affordable would further enhance Nigerians’ access to quality care.