The Federal Ministry of Health and Medipool Nigeria Limited have formalised a Service Level Agreement (SLA) aimed at strengthening coordination and governance within Nigeria’s medicine procurement and supply chain systems.
In a statement on X on Wednesday following the signing of the agreement in Abuja, the ministry explained that Medipool is a federally approved group purchasing platform established to support Nigeria’s healthcare reform agenda by improving the availability, affordability and efficiency in delivery of essential medicines.
The agreement followed continued efforts to improve transparency, efficiency and alignment in the sourcing and distribution of essential medicines, the ministry said.
Through coordinated demand aggregation and transparent purchasing processes, Medipool works collaboratively with public and private stakeholders to strengthen supply reliability and support equitable access to quality medicines across the country.
Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, underscored the importance of coordinated and transparent approaches in strengthening healthcare systems.
He stressed that strengthening coordination and transparency across healthcare delivery systems remains a priority for the ministry, adding that the engagement reflects the ministry’s continued focus on practical, collaborative approaches that support efficiency and accountability in the supply of essential medicines.
Pate added that the government welcomes efforts that align with these objectives, looking forward to a responsible, phased implementation. He further noted that structured demand coordination could, over time, provide greater predictability within the pharmaceutical market and support stronger domestic manufacturing capacity.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Medipool Nigeria Limited, Dr. Oluwaseun Abiola, said the agreement was an important step toward operational alignment, and “reflects a shared commitment to strengthening coordination and governance within the healthcare supply system.”
According to him, Medipool’s focus is on “responsible, phased implementation, working collaboratively with existing institutions to improve transparency, trust, demand aggregation and supply reliability.
Abiola explained that the company’s mandate is to support structured purchase processes and enhance coordination mechanisms while respecting existing institutional frameworks.
The platform is expected to support ongoing healthcare initiatives, including those linked to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, by improving coordination mechanisms and strengthening procurement governance over time.
Established as a public-private partnership, Medipool operates within approved healthcare reform frameworks and works alongside public and private sector stakeholders. Implementation activities will proceed in phases, in line with agreed governance structures and stakeholder engagement processes.
