President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that more than ₦98 billion was disbursed in 2025 to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Nigeria, describing the intervention as one of the largest single-year investments in grassroots health services in recent history.
The President disclosed on Wednesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Health Convention and Roundtable 1.0 in Abuja. He explained that the funds were released through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support operational expenses in over 8,300 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) nationwide.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu said the disbursement forms part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at repositioning the health sector as a pillar of national development.
In a statement issued by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, the President noted that quarterly allocations under the BHCPF have been consistently released to ensure uninterrupted services at the primary healthcare level.
He added that the funding structure is being expanded to include an additional 5,212 PHCs, bringing the total number of benefiting facilities to over 13,500 nationwide, with a particular focus on rural and underserved communities.
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Tinubu disclosed that 2,565 PHCs have already been revitalised, while 1,456 are currently undergoing rehabilitation. According to him, the upgraded centres now provide 24-hour services with trained health workers, essential medicines, medical equipment, and improved power and water supply.
On health insurance, the President stated that more than 10 million vulnerable Nigerians have been enrolled to reduce out-of-pocket spending and improve access to healthcare.
He further revealed that over 78,000 frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health extension workers, have been retrained within two years, out of a target of 120,000 over four years.
Highlighting maternal health efforts, Tinubu said the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) is tracking pregnant women in 172 high-burden local government areas, with more than 100,000 women linked to facilities for antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, including free emergency services.
The President also referenced the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Care Value Chain (PVAC), which seeks to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported medicines.
Calling on APC governors and lawmakers to align with federal reforms, Tinubu urged states to increase health budget allocations toward the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target and to publish measurable annual health performance scorecards.
“A country cannot be prosperous if its citizens are unhealthy,” he stated, urging greater collaboration among the private sector, development partners, traditional rulers, and faith leaders to expand access to affordable healthcare nationwide.
