Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms have recorded significant gains, with health insurance enrolment rising from 16 million to 22 million people in the last three years, while the country’s health system has climbed to fourth place in Africa, according to the Federal Government.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this after co-chairing the 15th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) alongside the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
The meeting reviewed progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), implemented through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and outlined measures to sustain ongoing reforms across the country.
Pate said the achievements reflect the impact of the health reforms being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with early national data showing improvements in key health indicators.
He revealed that while the BHCPF has disbursed a total of ₦339 billion since its establishment 12 years ago, ₦235 billion—almost 70 per cent of the total—has been released in the last three years.
“Health insurance enrolment has increased from 16 million to 22 million Nigerians over the past three years, while preliminary findings from the 2026 Mini Demographic and Health Survey show encouraging improvements in antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, immunisation, child health and other key population health indicators,” Pate said.
The minister noted that the increased investment has enabled more than 8,000 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide to receive direct facility financing, expanded emergency medical services, strengthened disease surveillance and improved access to essential healthcare services.
“While the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund has disbursed ₦339 billion over its 12-year history, ₦235 billion—nearly 70 per cent of the total—has been released in just the last three years under the current administration. These investments demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare and improving access to quality health services for Nigerians,” he said.
Pate added that Nigeria’s health system is now ranked fourth in Africa, behind South Africa, Tunisia and Kenya, describing the development as evidence that the country’s health reforms are beginning to deliver measurable results.
He further disclosed that more than 48,000 women have benefited from free comprehensive emergency obstetric care, while emergency medical services have delivered life-saving treatment to over 130,000 Nigerians.
On public health preparedness, the minister announced that the Federal Government had approved BHCPF-supported preparedness funding for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to strengthen readiness against Ebola Virus Disease, complementing the work of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness.
“The approval of preparedness funding for all states and the FCT reinforces Nigeria’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to emerging public health threats. We must continue investing in health security while strengthening our primary healthcare system,” he said.
Pate also urged state and local governments to fulfil their counterpart funding obligations under the BHCPF and improve staffing at primary healthcare facilities.
“We call on state and local governments to meet their counterpart funding commitments and strengthen staffing at primary healthcare facilities so that the gains we are recording can be sustained. Our commitment remains to deepen reforms through strategic investments, stronger accountability, collaboration with states and development partners, and policies that expand access to quality and affordable healthcare for every Nigerian,” the minister said.
The Basic Healthcare Provision Fund remains the Federal Government’s flagship financing mechanism for strengthening primary healthcare, expanding financial protection, improving emergency medical services and enhancing health security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.