Nigerian Government Encouraged to Focus on Funding and Accountability as Health Sector Review Begins

Table of Contents

1. Advocacy Group's Call to Action
2. Medical Relief Fund Release
3. Joint Annual Review of Health Sector
4. Family Planning Budget Release
5. National Health Insurance Implementation
6. Adolescent Health Budgets
7. Sustained Funding for Immunisation
8. Joint Annual Review Meeting Details

The advocacy group, Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has urged the federal government to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAEH) services in Nigeria by ensuring the complete release and effective utilization of the approved health budgets for 2025.

The organization also called for the allocation of 10% of the ₦60 billion Medical Relief Fund, which was approved under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Value Chain, to bolster the provision of family planning and reproductive health services nationwide.

This appeal coincides with the ongoing Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the health sector, aimed at evaluating the progress of healthcare delivery in the country and proposing new reforms to enhance the subsector.

In a statement, Dr. Aminu Magashi, the Coordinator of AHBN, emphasized that the full release of the 2025 approved family planning budget, which includes the US$4 million government counterpart funding designated to support the national family planning program, will significantly contribute to reducing maternal and child mortality rates.

AHBN also urged the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to implement the mandatory health insurance policy, ensuring that family planning services are integrated into the NHIA benefit package as mandated by the presidential executive order.

Regarding adolescent health, the Network called on both Federal and State Governments to ensure the timely and complete release of the 2025 budgets for adolescent health and well-being at both national and subnational levels.

Dr. Magashi praised the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the recent disbursement of ₦32.9 billion in Direct Facility Financing (DFF) under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

However, he underscored the necessity for increased accountability, transparency, and enhanced monitoring to ensure that the funds are utilized effectively to achieve measurable improvements in health outcomes.

Highlighting the importance of sustained funding for immunization, AHBN urged the Nigerian government to meet its counterpart funding commitments in alignment with obligations made to Gavi and UNICEF.

The organization also called for the release of the ₦137 billion allocated for immunization in 2024, of which only 25% has been disbursed thus far, along with the ₦231 billion budgeted for 2025.

Meanwhile, the Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting, themed “All Hands, One Vision,” which aims to audit the health sector, is expected to include the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, state commissioners, development partners, and members of the National Assembly among its attendees.