Minister Pate Rejects $700,000 Global Job to Serve Nigeria
By,Abdulwahab Muhammad, Bauchi
The Mohammed Ali Pate Bauchi State Governorship Contact and Mobilization Group has commended Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, for his patriotic decision to forgo a lucrative global appointment to contribute to the socioeconomic and political transformation of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
A staunch member of the group, Dr. Ja’afar Ibrahim Dass, made this known at their meeting in Bauchi, where he emphasized Pate’s sacrifice.
"Professor Pate turned down a global position where he would have earned approximately $700,000 (₦1.7 billion) per month, choosing instead to serve as a minister with a modest salary of ₦924,000," Dass stated.
He urged members drawn from all 20 local government areas of Bauchi State to work together to ensure victory for aspirants at both state and national levels in the 2027 elections.
Support for Tinubu’s Second Term
Dass, speaking at the Pate Contact and Mobilization Group’s meeting on Tuesday, also reaffirmed the group’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid. He expressed confidence that at least 45% of Bauchi State’s votes would go to Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections.
"Let us do our best to help the minister achieve his vision of improving healthcare delivery, particularly by establishing a comprehensive healthcare center in each of Bauchi’s 20 LGAs for easy access to medical services," Dass urged.
Pate’s Unfulfilled Governorship Ambition
Reflecting on Pate’s political journey, Dass revealed that in 2019, the minister was advised to step back from his gubernatorial ambition due to claims that he lacked the financial resources for electioneering. At the time, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, now the Governor of Bauchi State, was seen as the better-funded candidate.
However, Dass disclosed that contrary to popular belief, Pate had no less than $3 billion in his account to fund his governorship bid. Nevertheless, he respected the advice of Bauchi stakeholders and withdrew from the race.
"Ironically, those who discouraged Pate from contesting are no longer aligned with Governor Bala Mohammed today. None of them remain in good terms with him," Dass noted.
Following his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race, Pate accepted an appointment with international organizations such as GAVI and the World Bank before returning to serve as a minister.
Pate’s Contributions to Bauchi State
Dr. Ja’afar thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recognizing Pate’s leadership qualities, which have brought significant healthcare development to Bauchi.
Under Pate’s influence, Bauchi has become the only state in Nigeria with two standard university teaching hospitals, in addition to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC). Through his Cigari Foundation, Pate has also initiated the construction of a comprehensive primary healthcare center in each of the 20 LGAs. Where such facilities already exist, they are being renovated and upgraded.
Beyond healthcare, the Cigari Foundation has provided electricity projects for 21 communities across Bauchi and conducted free medical outreach benefiting over 3,000 residents.
These efforts, according to Dass, demonstrate Pate’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people of Bauchi State.
End.