Nigeria adds 5,000 clinics to its basic health fund and releases ₦40.7bn
More than 13,000 primary health centres will now benefit, and about 90,000 prisoners are being brought into health insurance.
Abuja — Nigeria's federal government has released ₦40.7 billion for primary health care across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and is adding 5,000 more clinics to those the money supports, bringing the total to more than 13,000.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, announced it in Abuja on Wednesday after a meeting of the committee that oversees the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Premium Times reports.
What was announced
- The ₦40.7 billion is the federal government's contribution for the quarter from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Higher government revenue has nearly doubled monthly payments into the fund, Dr Pate said.
- The extra 5,000 facilities will be chosen by disease burden, population and distance from health services.
- Savings at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency will pay for new frontline health workers, supported federally for three years before states take them on.
- About 90,000 prisoners are to be covered by the Vulnerable Group Health Insurance Fund, the Minister of State, Iziaq Salako, said.
- Medicines will be bought jointly to get better prices, and the government will work with civil society and the anti-corruption commission ICPC to track how the money is spent.
Dr Pate urged states and local governments to raise their own health spending, saying federal money should not replace it. He also urged parents to vaccinate their children against diphtheria.
Source: Premium Times, reporting by Mariam Ileyemi, 14 October 2026.
