During the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu addressed traditional rulers and religious leaders, highlighting their critical role in the success of health reforms in Nigeria. He urged these leaders to leverage their moral authority and grassroots connections to facilitate the government's health sector renewal agenda, stressing that their involvement is essential for any reform efforts to succeed.

Tinubu emphasized that traditional and religious leaders serve as trusted voices that connect the government with the populace, interpreting national policy and acting as moral anchors within their communities. He recognized the influence these leaders have at the grassroots level and called upon them to champion health initiatives, ensuring that health policy reaches and resonates with the people it is intended to serve.

As part of the summit, President Tinubu also launched the second cohort of the National Health Fellows programme, which includes 774 young Nigerians selected from every local government area. These fellows are intended to be frontline operators within the health system, further integrating local leadership into the healthcare reform strategy and highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing health challenges across the nation.