Nigeria’s Ex-Minister, Muhammad Pate, Appointed as Global Director for Health by World Bank

Muhammad Pate, a former Minister of State for Health under President Goodluck Jonathan, has been appointed by the World Bank Group as Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population.

Pate’s appointment also doubles as Director of Global Financing Facility (GFF) of the World Bank Group, whose goals include raising ‘trillions of dollars’ to ensure the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved before 2030.

As the director of GFF, Pate is also to lead, develop and communicate the vision and strategic direction of the GFF and its linkage to Human Capital Project.

In a congratulatory message on Twitter, the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, stated that he looks forward to working closely with Pate.

The tweet stated thus: “Congratulations, @muhammadpate, for your confirmation as the @WorldBank’s Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population @WBG_Health and Director for @theGFF. We look forward to working closely with you to achieve.”

A medical doctor by profession, Pate had worked previously as the human development sector coordinator, East Asia, and Pacific Region; and senior health specialist, Africa region, for the World Bank Group.

He was also executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) from 2008 to 2011; with specific goal to end polio in Nigeria and save millions of children from the deadly disease.

He was awarded the prestigious Harvard Health Leader award in 2012, for his remarkable contributions to health in developing countries.

Pate resigned in 2013 as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health to take up a new role position as Professor in Duke University’s Global Health Institute, the United States.