President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale announced that the SCO-PMU will report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee chaired by the minister. This committee comprises the Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and relevant development partners.

The SCO-PMU will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the National Health Sector Reform Initiative (NHSRII). Led by a national coordinator, its functions include programme management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) for NHSRII programmes, and fiduciary management.

In line with this initiative, President Tinubu has appointed Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq as the National Coordinator of the SCO-PMU. Dr. Umar Sadiq brings over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing across various sectors.