Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Universal Health Coverage, Prioritizes Domestic Health Financing
Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to strengthening domestic health financing as a cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), according to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
Speaking during a high-level sideline event titled “The Future of Domestic Financing” at the ongoing 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva, Dr. Salako emphasized that sustainable healthcare financing is a national priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has been deeply sympathetic to the plight of Nigerians burdened by healthcare costs,” said Salako. “He has strategically directed the health ministry to implement comprehensive reforms that would guarantee sustainable and equitable health financing across the country.”
The event, co-hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with global health development partners, brought together ministers, policymakers, donors, and technical experts to explore strategies for building resilient and equitable health systems across Africa and globally.
Salako noted that with out-of-pocket healthcare spending currently at 72%, Nigeria is taking bold steps to reverse the trend. He highlighted the implementation of the National Health Act (2014) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act (2022) as the legal backbone of the country’s health financing reforms.
“Under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a flagship of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is already seeing notable improvements,” he said, citing a 15% increase in health insurance coverage over the past two years. “All 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, now have established state health insurance agencies.”
“These agencies are instrumental in expanding access to quality health services for the population, especially the most vulnerable,” he added.
The Minister also announced progress in operationalizing the Vulnerable Group Fund and the planned establishment of a Catastrophic Health Fund to cover high-cost conditions such as cancer and end-stage kidney failure.
To enhance financial sustainability, Dr. Salako revealed new revenue-generating strategies, including proposed levies on telecommunications services, sugar-sweetened beverages, tobacco, alcohol, as well as public health taxes and health impact bonds.
He also commended recent economic reforms by President Tinubu that have granted autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, unlocking fresh opportunities for grassroots-level healthcare funding.
“The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which draws 1% from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, has been reorganized for greater transparency and timeliness in disbursement,” Salako said.
To ensure efficient utilization of resources, Nigeria is adopting a bottom-up budgeting approach, strengthening program integration, leveraging digital health technologies, and improving tracking of expenditures through the National Health Accounts and resource mapping systems.
“Nigeria is not only focused on mobilizing more funds but also on spending smarter,” he emphasized.
In a landmark move on the global stage, Dr. Salako announced that Nigeria has sponsored a resolution at WHA78 urging both developed and developing nations to increase domestic investment in health as a pathway to achieving UHC by 2030.
“Nigeria chaired the consultations for this resolution involving all 194 WHO member states,” he said. “It received consensus approval from the executive board and will be formally presented tomorrow.”
The resolution also calls for systematic documentation of national health expenditures and stronger collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve health financing globally.
Responding to the reality of dwindling donor funds, Salako disclosed that Nigeria has allocated an additional $200 million in domestic funds to sustain critical public health programmes, including immunization, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
“This significant investment reaffirms our resolve to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in accessing essential health services,” he stated. “We invite continued partnership, shared learning, and global cooperation to build a healthier, more equitable future for all.”