Over ₦65bn disbursed as FG, states intensify primary healthcare reforms

By Kunle Sanni –

The federal government and state governments have renewed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, following the disbursement of over ₦65 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in 2025.

Speaking at the 11th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on BHCPF in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, revealed that more than 37 million Nigerians have accessed healthcare services through the fund.

Pate attributed the milestone to improved collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as civil society, development partners, and the private sector. “Basic healthcare challenges cannot be solved by one tier of government alone,” he said. “Through shared ownership and alignment across levels, we are making steady, measurable progress.”

He noted that the ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, backed by all 36 governors, are driving the programme’s success. Pate also highlighted how recent macroeconomic policies, including fuel subsidy removal and the passage of new tax laws, are helping to strengthen sustainable healthcare financing.

“Government revenue must grow to fund critical sectors like health. These reforms are laying that foundation,” the minister said.

On tuberculosis, Pate expressed concern over Nigeria’s high number of undiagnosed or untreated TB patients. He assured that the 2025 budget has made provisions for increased drug procurement to support improved detection rates.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the BHCPF as a transparent and inclusive intervention. “The MOC is a model of participatory governance, with state actors and civil society playing key roles. This is translating to more effective healthcare delivery,” he said.

Chairman of the Health Commissioners Forum, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, confirmed that over ₦32 billion was disbursed in the first and second quarters of 2025 to support operations in more than 8,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide.