The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of N32 billion to primary healthcare facilities across Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen service delivery and expand access to essential care.
The announcement was made by Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, during the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting held in Abuja. The funds will be released under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), a key financing mechanism for improving grassroots healthcare.
Pate explained that the approval follows newly updated reform guidelines aimed at repositioning primary healthcare delivery nationwide. He added that the government is also planning to extend direct facility financing to an additional 5,000 healthcare centres.
According to the minister, early results from the reforms are already evident, particularly in maternal and child health. Over 4,000 women have benefited from the free fistula programme, while more than 40,000 women have received reimbursed emergency obstetric services, reducing the financial burden of critical care.
He also disclosed that neonatal care reimbursements are being introduced to further strengthen support for newborns, while ambulance tariffs have been reviewed to ensure both public and private providers are adequately compensated for emergency services.
In the area of immunisation, Nigeria has recorded significant progress, with over 102 million children vaccinated during the recent measles and rubella campaign, alongside ongoing efforts targeting polio and neglected tropical diseases.
Providing further insight, Aishatu Bajoga, Acting Secretary of the MOC Secretariat, said the BHCPF has maintained steady funding flows, with N131.5 billion recorded in 2025. However, inflows for early 2026 remain limited, with just N8.95 billion received so far.
She noted improvements across the system, including health insurance coverage reaching 21.7 million Nigerians by the end of 2025, and over 2,700 primary healthcare centres meeting upgraded service standards. Emergency medical transport services have also expanded to 26 states, benefiting nearly 18,000 people within three months.
Despite the progress, Bajoga acknowledged persistent challenges such as delays in fund disbursement and shortages of healthcare personnel, which the government is working to address.
Nigeria’s primary healthcare system continues to face structural weaknesses, with many facilities under-equipped and underperforming. However, the latest funding intervention signals renewed commitment by the government to revitalise the sector and improve access to quality care, especially for underserved and rural populations.
