FG to overhaul blood service, seeks private sector investment

The federal government says it is set to overhaul the country’s blood service system to align with its national health priorities.

Abdu Mukhtar, national coordinator of the presidential initiative for unlocking the health value chain, said the government views the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) as a vital part of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

Mukhtar spoke during a working visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

“There is no functioning health system without a dependable blood service,” he said.

“From maternal care to surgery, oncology to emergency response, the availability and quality of blood products play a life-saving role.

“The federal government is committed to strengthening this vital sector through policy support and public-private collaboration.”

He said the government would provide an enabling environment to attract private sector investments, innovation, and scalable infrastructure in blood services.

Mukhtar asked the NBSA to develop finance-driven proposals that would help attract sustainable funding and improve service delivery nationwide.

“The NBSA is encouraged to bring forward transformative initiatives that are not only financially viable but capable of catalysing long-term impact—especially those that promote efficiency, sustainability, and technology-driven service delivery,” he said.

Saleh Yuguda, director-general of the NBSA, pledged the agency’s commitment to modernising blood services through innovation, accessibility, and local partnerships.

“Our priorities are clear,” Yuguda said.

“We are working to expand plasma production capabilities, improve nationwide access to safe blood, and deepen public-private partnerships that will enable local production of vital consumables—moving Nigeria away from costly import dependency.”

He called on the federal government and the national assembly to strengthen the agency’s regulatory powers through legislation, noting that a stronger legal mandate is needed to enforce standards and ensure compliance across the blood value chain.

“We cannot achieve national blood safety and efficiency without the full force of legal authority,” Yuguda said.

“Strengthening our regulatory mandate is essential for oversight, quality control, and the ethical administration of blood services nationwide.”

Yuguda also noted the agency’s work in public awareness campaigns and voluntary blood donation drives, calling for sustained support from stakeholders.

The government’s push for finance-based interventions marks a shift towards sustainability and innovation in Nigeria’s blood service system.