Health experts and civil society organisations have welcomed the additional ₦300 billion allocation to Nigeria’s health sector in the 2025 budget.
However, they emphasised the need for transparency, efficient fund utilisation and alternative financing to prevent future disruptions in healthcare services.
These comments were made during separate interviews with journalists on Friday in Abuja.
The Senate approved the allocation to address the funding gap created by suspending U.S. foreign aid, which had previously supported key health programmes, such as those for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and polio interventions. This decision followed the U.S. government’s halt of foreign aid disbursement, affecting programmes funded by PEPFAR and USAID.
While acknowledging the government’s effort to increase domestic health funding, experts caution that effective implementation and accountability are crucial for the additional funds to create a meaningful impact.
A public health specialist, Dr. John Anyebe stated, “The increase is a positive step, but funding alone is not enough. There must be a clear strategy to ensure that the money reaches the right programs and populations without leakages or mismanagement.”
According to Anyebe, Nigeria has a history of budgetary allocations that do not translate into real improvements. He emphasised that the government must strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent misallocation and ensure that every naira serves its intended purpose. He also noted the importance of reducing dependence on foreign aid and creating sustainable funding sources for long-term healthcare resilience.
A health economist, Dr. Abigail Banji remarked, “Relying on donor funding is not a sustainable model. Nigeria must invest in domestic health financing mechanisms, including innovative public-private partnerships, expanding health insurance and increasing taxation on harmful products like tobacco and alcohol.”
Banji added that the disruption caused by the U.S. aid freeze highlights the critical need for self-reliance. “The government should diversify health financing by engaging private sector partners and international development banks,” she suggested.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) and patient advocacy groups are advocating for full transparency in fund allocation to ensure that vulnerable populations benefit from the additional budget.
Executive director of Gem Hub Initiative and co-convener of the Joint Learning Agenda for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, Mrs. Oyeyemi Pitan stated, “The government must ensure these funds reach rural communities where access to healthcare is weakest. Without a clear plan for equitable distribution, the impact will be minimal.”
Pitan also called for a comprehensive tracking system to monitor how the additional ₦300 billion is spent. “We need transparency to prevent mismanagement and corruption,” she said.
Patient advocacy groups have warned that HIV/AIDS treatment programs could face challenges despite the budget increase, particularly as PEPFAR-funded interventions remain uncertain.
Founder of the Joyce Kwande Foundation, Mrs. Joy Kwande noted that millions of Nigerians rely on PEPFAR-supported antiretroviral drugs. “If the government is serious about taking over funding, it must provide a detailed plan to ensure there are no treatment gaps,” she stated.
Kwande also mentioned efforts to ramp up local production of HIV test kits and ARVs, highlighting that this requires significant investment in manufacturing capacity and supply chain logistics.
Stakeholders, CSOs, and health advocates have agreed that while the ₦300 billion allocation is a step in the right direction, its success depends on proper planning, transparency and alternative financing strategies. They urged the government to prioritise accountability, strengthen healthcare infrastructure and reduce dependency on donor funding to build a resilient health system capable of withstanding future financial shocks.
