Nigeria’s health system is set for a significant boost as the National Assembly (NASS), the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and local government councils have pledged renewed collaboration to strengthen primary healthcare across the country.
This commitment was made on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2nd Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Health Sector, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health System to Light.”
The event, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, served as a platform for government agencies, development partners, and civil society to evaluate progress and enhance accountability in implementing the national health reform agenda.
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, announced plans by the legislature to amend the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Act to double the statutory allocation from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
Represented by Mr. Adesola Adebayo, Banigo said the move has received wide parliamentary support and would substantially improve funding for primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across Nigeria.
“The proposed amendment will revitalise PHCs, strengthen workforce capacity, and enhance access to essential medicines and maternal health services.
“The National Assembly is committed to supporting the President’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda to ensure that more Nigerians access quality healthcare without financial hardship,” he said.
Banigo emphasised that sustainable financing remains central to achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes, especially at the community level.
In his remarks, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, said the country’s revenue profile has improved remarkably under the current administration, creating room for greater investment in human capital development.
Bagudu disclosed that Nigeria’s monthly revenues rose from below N580 billion between 2019 and 2023 to over N2 trillion in 2025, a surge he attributed to ongoing fiscal and economic reforms.
“This improvement in revenue allows for more robust funding of priority sectors such as health.
“A healthy population is fundamental to economic growth, and the Renewed Hope Agenda provides a foundation for sustainable development, ” he said.
He added that the Health Sector Compact, agreed upon by federal, state, and local governments, demonstrates a shared responsibility for improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
Bagudu also highlighted emerging international partnerships such as the European Union’s Health Investment for Nigeria Initiative, describing it as a testament to renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s health reforms.
Dr. Aminu Hassan, who represented the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), reaffirmed local councils’ readiness to strengthen health governance and service delivery at the grassroots.
He commended the Federal Government for recognising local governments as key partners under the BHCPF 2.0 framework, which now includes them in health financing and decision-making.
“We are fully committed to the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which promote coordinated, transparent, and accountable health delivery systems,” Hassan said.
He stressed that closer coordination among all tiers of government was crucial to achieving equitable healthcare access across Nigeria’s communities.
The 2025 Joint Annual Review reflected the collective commitment of policymakers and health actors to address gaps in financing, service delivery, and governance within Nigeria’s health sector.
Participants agreed that expanding investments in primary healthcare and strengthening the BHCPF remain central to building a resilient health system that delivers quality, affordable, and accessible services to all Nigerians.
