FG Is Now Backing Nigeria’s Healthcare With Billions — Here Is Why It Matters

The Federal Government has approved ₦32.8 billion for states under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), as Nigeria records steady improvements in primary healthcare delivery, health insurance coverage and maternal health services.

The disbursement, approved at the latest meeting of the Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee, will fund primary healthcare centres, emergency medical services, health insurance for vulnerable Nigerians and disease preparedness across the country.

More than 8,000 primary healthcare centres across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT now receive direct quarterly funding through the BHCPF, improving access to essential medicines, basic services and emergency care at the grassroots level.
Over 3,000 centres have been upgraded to provide expanded services, with nearly 1,000 additional facilities currently undergoing revitalisation. More than 130,000 Nigerians have also benefited from BHCPF-funded emergency medical services.

Health insurance enrolment has grown from approximately 16 million to over 22 million Nigerians in three years, extending financial protection to millions who previously lacked access to affordable healthcare. More than 48,000 women have received free emergency obstetric care, including Caesarean sections. Over 4,700 women have undergone free VVF repair surgeries, while nearly 2,900 newborns have accessed specialised neonatal care services.

Part of the new funding will bolster disease surveillance and outbreak response, including Ebola preparedness and continued support for cholera, Lassa fever and meningitis management across states.

Despite the gains, healthcare worker migration from primary facilities continues to strain service delivery. The government said sustained collaboration with state governments will be critical to addressing workforce shortages and maintaining progress.
The latest disbursement is expected to strengthen essential health services, particularly for underserved Nigerians, as the Federal Government pushes toward universal health coverage.