The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of over N32 billion under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across Nigeria, as part of efforts to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare.
The approval was granted at the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting and the first quarter 2026 session of the BHCPF, held on March 24, 2026, in Abuja.
The BHCPF serves as a key financing mechanism of the Federal Government aimed at ensuring predictable funding, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and expanding access to essential services, especially for vulnerable populations.
At the meeting, key gateway agencies including the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) presented updates on programme implementation. Representatives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also contributed field-level insights and recommendations.
The committee noted progress in expanding service delivery, strengthening public health response systems, and improving financial protection for citizens, as Nigeria advances towards Universal Health Coverage.
A major highlight of the meeting was the accelerated rollout of BHCPF 2.0 under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), designed to align financing, service delivery, and accountability with national health priorities under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
The committee also reviewed priority interventions, including the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII), the HOPE Primary Healthcare programme focused on workforce and service readiness, and the National Health Fellows Programme (NHF), aimed at strengthening leadership and accountability within the health sector.
Progress updates were also presented on the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), alongside broader maternal and child health indicators, highlighting improvements in emergency response and life-saving interventions.
Speaking at the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the government is aligning healthcare financing with measurable outcomes.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are deliberately aligning financing with outcomes. BHCPF 2.0 ensures that resources translate into real improvements in service delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level where most Nigerians access care,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasised that the initiative is already delivering tangible results.
“This is about outcomes Nigerians can see and feel — safer deliveries, improved emergency response, and functional primary healthcare centres,” he noted.
In a briefing with journalists after the meeting, Prof. Pate expressed optimism over the progress recorded in the health sector, noting improvements in primary healthcare utilisation, maternal health, and immunisation coverage.
He disclosed that the approved funds would be disbursed to facilities based on established guidelines, adding that the government plans to expand the programme to cover an additional 5,000 healthcare facilities nationwide.
“We are on our way to expanding the facilities, with 5,000 more set to receive direct facility financing,” he said.
The minister also revealed that over 40,000 women have benefited from free emergency obstetric services, while more than 4,000 women have received treatment under the government’s free fistula programme.
He further noted that Nigeria has strengthened its disease outbreak response capacity, successfully containing over 200 health emergencies within the past year. In addition, over 102 million children were immunised during a nationwide measles and rubella vaccination campaign.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining reforms and investments in the health sector to improve outcomes and ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all Nigerians.
