By Aderogba George
The Health Sector Reform Coalition Nigeria (HSRC) has criticised the non-implementation of the 2025 federal allocation to the health sector.
Mr Mohammed Lecky, HSRC Chairman, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, noting that only N36 million was released from the N218 billion 2025 capital budget, representing about 0.016 per cent.
He quoted the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, as highlighting this during the 2026 budget defence before the House of Representatives.
Lecky said budget appropriation without corresponding cash backing undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s planning frameworks and poses a threat to the ongoing Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
“If ministries cannot rely on capital releases, long-term projects such as hospital upgrades, digital health systems, supply chains, and workforce expansion become impossible,” Lecky said.
He added that the near-total collapse of capital releases stalls the construction of PHC facilities, delays equipment procurement, and disrupts health technology investments, creating a dangerous imbalance where personnel costs are fully funded but infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
Lecky recommended increasing the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s allocation to at least 10 per cent of the overall budget.
He said that if meeting the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration benchmark is difficult, the budget should target at least two-thirds of it.
Mr Eze Onyekwere, HSRC member and Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), urged the government to ringfence the health sector vote and ensure timely releases.
He also called for compulsory health insurance for Nigerians and prioritisation of immunisation as a first-line charge.
Prof. Oladapo Ladipo, of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, recommended quarterly HSRC-media briefings to promote accountability in the health sector. (NAN)
Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Tosin Kolade
