The Federal Government has approved ₦40.76 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2026 and extended health insurance coverage to approximately 90,000 inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja after the 16th meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) on the BHCPF.
The approved allocation of ₦40.76 billion represents an increase of approximately ₦7.88 billion from the ₦32.88 billion allocated in the previous quarter.
Pate said the decisions reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment to providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved populations.
He said the funding aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aim to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes across the country.
According to the minister, the approved sum of ₦40,758,116,943.50 will be distributed among the fund’s four statutory gateways.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will receive ₦19.87 billion, representing 48.75 per cent of the allocation, while the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) will receive ₦18.34 billion, representing 45 per cent.
The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) will receive ₦2.04 billion, representing five per cent, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) will receive ₦509.48 million, representing 1.25 per cent.
The minister disclosed that monthly statutory releases into the fund had increased from approximately ₦8.95 billion to ₦13.08 billion and subsequently to ₦20.43 billion.
He stressed that increased funding must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management and improved healthcare outcomes.
According to Pate, “increased financing must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management and improved health outcomes.”
The committee also approved the extension of health insurance coverage to approximately 90,000 inmates following a request from the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The coverage will be implemented through the NHIA, subject to regular reporting and accountability safeguards. Inmates already covered by state health insurance schemes will be excluded to avoid duplication.
In another development, the committee approved changes to the NPHCDA gateway to improve access to essential medicines through pooled procurement by MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation.
The arrangement will incorporate pricing benchmarks, value-for-money safeguards and supply-chain monitoring to promote transparency, quality assurance and reliable supplies of medical commodities.
Pate also announced plans to expand BHCPF support from 8,309 to 13,521 primary healthcare facilities nationwide, adding 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The committee further considered a phased financing model to support states in recruiting Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers and progressively absorbing them into state health systems.
To address delays in funding, the committee resolved to establish a subcommittee to investigate bottlenecks affecting the movement of funds through the fund’s gateways, states and local government areas to healthcare facilities.
The subcommittee is expected to submit its report within six weeks.
The committee also directed that letters be sent to state governors outlining the financial requirements of the NCDC to ensure adequate responses to disease outbreaks.
On accountability, Pate said the Federal Government was collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor health sector funds and prevent their misuse.
“Government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for,” he said.
The minister commended the Katsina State governor for releasing ₦243 million to the state’s health insurance agency to expand coverage under the BHCPF.
He urged other state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to fulfil their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act, 2014.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare financing, expanding access to essential health services and ensuring that public health investments deliver measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable populations.