In a strong call for healthcare reform, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has emphasised the immediate need to elevate Nigeria’s healthcare system from “suboptimal” to “optimal” levels of service delivery.
The appeal, voiced by NESG CEO, Dr. Tayo Aduloju came during the launch of the ‘2024 State of States’ report, held on Tuesday in Abuja. The event, themed “Moving Healthcare Delivery from Suboptimal to Optimal,” was part of BudgIT’s annual fiscal assessment across Nigeria’s 36 states, which examines state financial performance, human capital investment and healthcare financing.
According to Aduloju, Nigeria’s health sector faces significant challenges, including inadequate funding, low health insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs, which hinder access to quality healthcare for millions of citizens. Describing healthcare as a fundamental human right, he underscored the financial strain on individuals and families due to the absence of comprehensive health insurance coverage in the country. Currently, less than five per cent of Nigerians are insured, leading many to incur unsustainable, out-of-pocket expenses.
Aduloju urged a substantial shift in policy, emphasising the importance of strengthening primary healthcare (PHC) systems to bring medical services closer to communities and align with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. PHC systems, he explained, have the potential to provide around 90 per cent of essential health services and save up to 60 million lives globally by the end of the decade, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates.
He highlighted a sharp increase in poverty, affecting 56 per cent of Nigeria’s population, or approximately 129 million people, which compounds the healthcare crisis by reducing individuals’ ability to afford care. NESG advocates a collaborative approach between the government, private sector, and international stakeholders to mobilise resources for a sustainable healthcare framework, which Aduloju believes is essential for Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and human capital development.
BudgIT’s country director, Gabriel Okeowo, echoed these sentiments, noting that while state revenues increased by 31.2 per cent in 2023, the spending allocation for critical sectors, including healthcare, remains insufficient. The BudgIT State of States report, which tracks budget implementation and management, found that although Nigerian states collectively allocated N2.3 trillion to healthcare in 2023, only N1.39 trillion was spent, revealing a 58.16 per cent budget performance. Okeowo called for improved fiscal accountability and management to ensure that state budgets translate into actionable benefits for public welfare.
Okeowo further highlighted BudgIT’s efforts to drive public engagement through technology, aiming to empower citizens to hold public officials accountable for service delivery. The ‘State of States’ report continues to be a critical tool in fostering transparency and urging Nigerian states to prioritise healthcare funding, particularly at the grassroots level, to improve the welfare of all citizens.
