Group demands clarity from health Minister over reproductive policy, external influence allegations
By Ahmed Ahmed
A health advocacy group, Saqafatul Islam Foundation Nigeria (SIFN), has called on the Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, to address growing public concerns surrounding Nigeria’s reproductive health policies, alleged external influence, and issues of transparency.
In an open letter signed by its Secretary, Muhammad Awwal Ahmadu, and made available to journalists in Bauchi, the foundation urged the minister to provide reassurance on matters affecting public confidence in the country’s health leadership.
The group said recent public discourse, including reports referencing materials allegedly linked to the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein, had triggered anxiety among Nigerians about possible foreign interests in Nigeria’s demographic outcomes.
While noting that it does not claim knowledge of the authenticity or legal implications of the circulating materials, SIFN stressed that public perception of potential external agenda-setting had become significant enough to require official clarification.
According to the foundation, Nigeria’s fertility rate remains a recurring subject in global public health discussions.
It emphasised that policies related to family planning, maternal health, and reproductive services must be firmly rooted in Nigerian law, sound public health evidence, human rights standards, and the autonomy and informed consent of Nigerian women.
The group specifically requested clarification on safeguards within the Ministry of Health to ensure that reproductive and family planning policies are formulated strictly in Nigeria’s national interest, free from undue influence by donors, private foundations, or foreign policy actors.
It also called for greater transparency regarding partnerships, donor-supported programmes, governance frameworks, and oversight mechanisms in reproductive and maternal health initiatives.
SIFN further sought the minister’s position on narratives circulating online that mention individuals such as Thomas Pritzker and philanthropist Bill Gates in discussions about global population dynamics.
Without alleging wrongdoing, the foundation asked whether the Ministry views Nigeria’s fertility rate as a demographic “target” or strictly as a voluntary health and development matter.
The group also requested clarification on the nature of the minister’s professional relationship with Gates and the conflict-of-interest safeguards in place to protect policy independence.
It added that while resignation should not be demanded lightly, public confidence is vital to effective leadership, and any action necessary to preserve institutional credibility should be considered.
SIFN maintained that its intervention is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s public health policy process and protecting the dignity and trust of Nigerian women, particularly in the North East, where distrust of health programmes could have serious consequences.
