Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for increased investment in science and the strengthening of health systems as the world marks World Health Day 2026.

In her message commemorating the day, themed “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” she stressed that sustainable progress in healthcare depends on innovation, research, and robust collaboration across nations and sectors.

The First Lady noted that scientific partnerships have played a pivotal role in tackling global health challenges and remain essential to improving the quality of life worldwide.

She underscored the need to build resilient and inclusive health systems capable of responding effectively to emerging threats.

Highlighting the importance of the One Health approach, she said the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health must be recognised as a critical pathway to achieving long-term health security.

She urged governments, stakeholders and the international community to prioritise investments in scientific research and healthcare infrastructure, while fostering partnerships that could deliver improved health outcomes.

She also extended goodwill to Nigerians and the global community on the occasion.

World Health Day is observed yearly on April 7 to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation in 1948.

The commemoration began in 1950 following a resolution of the first World Health Assembly to spotlight key global health priorities each year.