President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that more than ₦98 billion was released in 2025 to strengthen primary healthcare services nationwide, marking one of the largest annual investments in grassroots health delivery in recent times.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Health Convention and Roundtable 1.0 in Abuja, Tinubu — represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume — said the funds were disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support operational costs across more than 8,300 primary healthcare centres (PHCs).
The President explained that the funding has helped drive the ongoing revitalisation of PHCs, with 2,565 facilities already upgraded and another 1,456 undergoing rehabilitation. According to a statement by Mr. Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, the upgraded centres now operate round-the-clock, are staffed with trained health workers, and are equipped with essential medicines, basic medical tools, and stable power and water supply.
Tinubu also announced plans to extend the BHCPF framework to an additional 5,212 PHCs, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 13,500 facilities, with a focus on expanding access to quality care, especially in rural and underserved areas.
He highlighted his administration’s broader health strategy, noting that more than 78,000 frontline health workers — including doctors, nurses, midwives and community health practitioners — have been trained so far under a four-year retraining mandate first issued in 2023.
The President underscored that health sector reform remains central to his government’s development agenda, asserting that a healthy population is critical to national productivity, economic growth and human dignity.
Tinubu also outlined progress under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Innovation Initiative (MAMII), which tracks expectant mothers in 172 high-burden local government areas and has linked over 100,000 pregnant women to facilities offering free emergency maternal and newborn care services.
Additionally, he highlighted efforts under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) to reduce dependence on imported medicines by boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthening regulatory capacities.
Calling on APC governors and legislators to support federal health reforms, Tinubu urged states to increase health spending toward the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration benchmark, make primary and secondary health facilities functional, and strengthen state health insurance schemes with measurable annual performance scorecards.
He also appealed to the private sector, development partners, traditional rulers and faith leaders to deepen collaboration with government efforts to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all Nigerians.