As President Bola Tinubu marked his second year in office, his administration’s renewed emphasis on revitalising Nigeria’s health sector has drawn mixed reactions from health experts, civil society organisations and frontline professionals.
While acknowledging several flagship initiatives under the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, they called for urgent steps to prioritise implementation, equity and sustainability across all levels of the health system.
Health achievements cited by the administration include the revitalisation of more than 1,000 primary health centres (PHCs) nationwide, with another 5,500 undergoing upgrades. Other reported interventions include the establishment of six cancer treatment centres – three of which are ready for operation – and the provision of free dialysis services in selected tertiary hospitals, with subsidised dialysis in others.
Under the Presidential Maternal Health Initiative, the government also announced that over 4,000 women have benefitted from free caesarean sections. Additionally, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) expanded its coverage from 16 million to 20 million enrollees within the two-year period.
A global health advocate, Dr. Francis Ekene said that revitalising PHCs is critical for delivering maternal and child health services at the grassroots level. However, he stressed that many of these centres remain non-functional, under-resourced, or devoid of essential personnel.
“Painting and reopening buildings is not revitalisation. Real reform means staffing these centres with trained professionals, supplying medicines, and linking them to referral hospitals for emergencies,” he said. “Out of Nigeria’s more than 30,000 PHCs, a large percentage remain unfit for proper service delivery.”
Echoing similar concerns, a public health expert, Dr. Amina Hamza pointed out the importance of PHCs as the first line of defence in epidemic response.
“PHCs must function as community-based surveillance hubs. Without that capacity, we will continue to react to outbreaks rather than prevent them,” she said. “The president’s tone was reassuring, but what Nigerians need is a data-driven, community-focused execution.”
Regarding cancer care, President Tinubu highlighted the rollout of six new treatment centres and a free dialysis programme in selected federal facilities. Cancer control advocate, Rachel Chida praised the development but questioned its reach and affordability.
“Six centres are a start, but cancer care remains unaffordable for the majority. Even with new facilities, without subsidising diagnostic tests and chemotherapy, we are still locking people out of access,” she said.
Chida called for decentralisation and increased federal-state collaboration to sustain the dialysis programme and reach more communities. “We must think long-term. A successful programme needs not just funding but planning, partnerships, and transparency,” she added.
On maternal health, Dr. Fatima Adamu, a reproductive health consultant, said the free caesarean section initiative is significant but not sufficient.
“A C-section is just one part of maternal care. What about antenatal care, emergency transportation, and midwives in rural areas?” she asked. “Without these, maternal mortality will remain high.”
Hauwa Musa, a former senior official of the National Midwives Association of Nigeria, added: “We welcome the gesture, but more investment is needed in training and deploying midwives. Women should not have to travel 30 to 50 kilometres in labour.”
President Tinubu also cited the expansion of NHIA’s coverage from 16 million to 20 million Nigerians. Experts said this is a positive step but called for clarification on who is covered and how the services are being delivered.
Dr. Umaru Bala, a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) advocate said progress toward UHC should not be measured by numbers alone.
“We need to know whether vulnerable groups – pregnant women, children, the elderly and informal workers – are included. Is care free at the point of use? Are services accessible in rural areas?” he asked. “Enrollment means little if people still pay out of pocket or can’t find care when they need it.”
Civil society organisations are calling for greater accountability and public access to information. Sadiq Sani, Budget Associate at the Africa Health Budget Network, urged the government to publish a full scorecard of its health interventions.
“Let Nigerians see the data. Where were the funds allocated? What projects have been completed? Where do gaps remain?” he said. “We also urge the media to verify government claims. Visit PHCs, cancer centres, and NHIA offices. What’s happening on the ground is what matters.”
He noted that transparency and accountability are essential to building trust and ensuring that reforms translate into improved outcomes for citizens.
As Tinubu’s administration enters its third year, health experts agree that political will must now give way to systemic action. They stressed that true progress lies in the details – staffing, supplies, training, and community inclusion – not just grand announcements.
With millions of Nigerians still grappling with poor health access, inequities in service delivery, and weak health infrastructure, they warned that without tangible implementation, the Renewed Hope Agenda risks becoming another missed opportunity in the nation’s long struggle for equitable healthcare.
