The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has dismissed a viral social media video claiming that the Coordinating Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced a “revolutionary drug” that would “save everyone from diabetes” and be delivered free to homes across Nigeria.
The Ministry described the footage as false, malicious, and digitally manipulated, warning Nigerians to beware of health misinformation circulating online. According to Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations, the video uses altered clips from a Channels TV broadcast and doctored footage of the Minister’s public appearances to fabricate the story.
“There is no such drug, no such announcement, and no free nationwide distribution programme for diabetes medication,” the Ministry stated. “The Coordinating Minister never made such remarks, and these claims do not reflect any official position or policy of the Federal Government.”
The misleading video, which also shows chaotic scenes at pharmacies and alleged police intervention, has been confirmed to be staged and unrelated to any official health initiative. The Ministry urged the public to verify health-related information through credible sources and avoid engaging with fraudulent posts, especially those asking for personal details in exchange for medical products.
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Diabetes care in Nigeria, the Ministry clarified, remains part of an ongoing non-communicable diseases programme implemented through accredited health facilities in partnership with State Governments and licensed medical professionals.
Authorities have begun investigating the source of the viral misinformation. The Ministry is working with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Police Force, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to track down those responsible and hold them accountable.
Nigerians are advised to rely only on verified government platforms, including the Ministry’s official website, social media pages, and accredited healthcare providers, for accurate health updates.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering genuine, science-backed healthcare solutions to improve the well-being of citizens, stressing that transparency and credibility will remain at the core of its public health communication.
