The Federal Government has disbursed N32 billion through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen primary healthcare services across Nigeria. This significant funding, released in the first half of 2025, aims to support over 8,000 primary healthcare facilities nationwide, reaffirming the government’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.
At the 11th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on BHCPF held in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted that this milestone marks a critical step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. “This achievement reflects our collective efforts across federal, state and local levels, civil society, development partners, and the private sector,” Pate said.
He emphasized that the disbursement is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health sector renewal investment initiative under the broader Renewed Hope Agenda. Prof. Pate also pointed out recent fiscal reforms, such as Presidential Executive Orders aimed at unlocking local healthcare manufacturing and the newly signed Tax Reform Bill, which are helping to establish a sustainable financial foundation for the health sector and reduce reliance on external aid.
Addressing urgent health challenges, the minister noted a treatment gap affecting approximately 50,000 Nigerians diagnosed with tuberculosis who have yet to begin care. “The 2025 national budget includes specific provisions to bridge this gap, supported by enhanced diagnostic capabilities that have earned Nigeria global recognition,” he assured.
Furthermore, Prof. Pate confirmed that local governments are now fully integrated into the health compact framework, collaborating closely with state ministries and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to improve grassroots healthcare access.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, underscored the importance of the MOC governance mechanism in fostering stakeholder collaboration and strengthening BHCPF implementation. Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, who chairs the Health Commissioners’ Forum, praised federal efforts and noted that recent meetings have focused on ensuring quality services and commodities reach the targeted 8,000 facilities. “The goal is very simple. It’s to ensure that as many facilities as possible provide access to quality services and necessary commodities,” Filani said.
The 11th Expanded MOC meeting, chaired by Prof. Pate, was convened to review BHCPF progress, reinforce strategic direction, and advance reforms under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), aiming to deliver better health outcomes for Nigerians.