FG Strengthens Health Infrastructure and Financing Framework to Boost Epidemic Preparedness

Targets ₦150 Billion for Vaccines, Expands Health Budget and Partnerships for Sustainable Reforms

Onwe Wisdom| Pan Afric Reporters, Abuja

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to build a stronger, more resilient health system with a focus on health infrastructure, sustainable financing, and epidemic preparedness, the Federal Government announced.

At the 2025 Joint Annual Health Sector Review (JAR) held in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that the government is set to raise ₦150 billion for vaccine procurement between 2025 and 2026 to strengthen routine immunization, enhance epidemic readiness, and reduce reliance on external financing.

Prof. Pate explained that the investment aligns with broader fiscal and health reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. These reforms according to Prof.  Pate include new health-focused taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand infrastructure, and digital monitoring systems to improve transparency and service delivery.

“Our goal is to build a health system that can withstand shocks epidemics, economic downturns, or global disruptions while guaranteeing equitable access for every Nigerian,” Pate said.

He added that the World Bank–supported ward-level mapping initiative will ensure that all the 8,809 wards across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas have coordinated health plans that align with state and national development priorities.

He further revealed that 84 percent of key health reform indicators are on track, with 35 States conducting annual reviews and citizens participating in outcome monitoring. Notably, 435 primary healthcare facilities have been revitalized, 15,000 new health workers recruited, and access to skilled birth attendants increased by 33 percent in high-burden areas.

“We have seen measurable progress; maternal deaths have declined by 17 percent and newborn deaths by 12 percent across 172 high-burden LGAs. Visits to primary healthcare facilities rose from 10 million in early 2024 to 45 million by mid-2025,” the Minister revealed.

The government’s fiscal strategy is also shifting toward stronger domestic financing for health. The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed that the 2025 Federal Health Budget grew by nearly 60 percent, with the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) rising from ₦131.5 billion in 2024 to nearly ₦299 billion in 2026.

“The turnaround in the economy has begun. Distortions are being removed, the economy is stabilizing, and social sectors like health are benefiting significantly,” Edun affirmed. “We are urging States and Local Governments to direct more of their increased revenues into health and education.”

Supporting this vision, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, emphasized that expanding Nigeria’s revenue base is essential to sustaining investments in health infrastructure and epidemic preparedness.

“For nearly two decades, our revenue-to-GDP ratio has been below 8 percent. The President’s vision is clear — we must mobilize more domestic resources to fund our development aspirations, including the 2026–2050 National Development Plan currently being designed,” Bagudu said.

He noted that the ward mapping exercise will improve coordination between local and national health programs and ensure equitable infrastructure distribution.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, highlighted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, over 500 new high-impact projects are underway, including 13 tertiary hospitals, six cancer centres of excellence, and 21 strategic health policies.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a promise—it is a covenant to safeguard the health of our people,” Salako stated. “With digital health platforms linking thousands of facilities and stronger primary healthcare revitalization, Nigeria is building a health system capable of preventing disease outbreaks and reducing medical tourism.”

He added that implementing the National Health System Reform Investment Initiative (NHSRII) could save the nation ₦4.8 trillion annually from preventable diseases and retain up to ₦850 billion currently lost to overseas medical treatment.

Salako called on States to increase their counterpart funding for BHCPF, expand health insurance coverage, and prioritize epidemic preparedness in their budgets, while urging private investors and development partners to align with the national health reform framework.

The three-day JAR concluded with the expansion and endorsement of the Health Sector Renewal Compact by Local Governments, traditional rulers, civil society, and private sector leaders, a collaborative effort first initiated in 2023 to foster joint accountability and sustainable investment in Nigeria’s health future.

“This is not just about building hospitals; it’s about building confidence, capacity, and a system ready to respond to tomorrow’s health emergencies,” Pate concluded.