The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, recently claimed that citizens from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other countries seek medical treatment in Nigeria.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, Pate stated that the government's healthcare investments are beginning to yield results.

“People are now beginning to come from the subregion, and even from faraway places like the UK and the US, to receive quality healthcare in Nigeria,” he said.

The minister noted that, despite challenges, progress is being made in the healthcare sector, aligning with Tinubu’s vision for transformation.

Pate announced that the federal government has approved contracts to equip tertiary health facilities, including a N12 billion investment in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines.

The beneficiaries of this investment include:

University of Uyo Teaching Hospital

Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Osun

Federal Medical Centre, Keffi

Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Adamawa

Federal Teaching Hospital, Kebbi

“This investment in critical diagnostic infrastructure is part of a broader effort to expand Nigeria’s health system capacity, ensuring that our tertiary institutions can offer world-class medical services,” Pate stated.

Reacting to Pate’s remarks, Nigerians have taken to social media to share their thoughts, and question the credibility of his statements.

@DailyJusticeAct: "Is this man a comedian or a minister? Why do these people lie pathologically?"

@NjaCoach: "It shall never be well with these people. Shameless liars!"

@DonPee_Ogie compared Pate’s statement to serious criminal offenses in other countries, stating: "This lie from Ali Pate is more serious than offenses that some countries punish by firing squad." Others pointed out the contrast between government claims and reality.

@SegunAK01: "While a few Nigerians return for treatment, they go to private hospitals, not government ones. Who will leave the UK or US to come to UCH, where there’s no power and water for days?"

@BigBash4Ks: "The US President and UK Prime Minister now use Nigerian hospitals, while our president goes to France for medical care. How do these guys tell lies with a straight face?"

@iamOgeyDike: "They say people come here for treatment, but they go abroad for their own medical care. Who’s fooling who?"