FG approves ₦40.8bn health allocation, extends insurance to 90,000 inmates

By Admin

The Federal Government has approved a ₦40.76 billion health funding package for the third quarter of 2026, combining a major financial boost for primary healthcare with the extension of national health insurance to nearly 90,000 prison inmates across Nigeria.

The new Q3 disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) marks an ₦7.88 billion increase over the ₦32.88 billion allocated in the previous quarter. This reflects a steady rise in monthly statutory funding into the primary healthcare network—growing from ₦8.95 billion to ₦20.43 billion—under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

Announcing the decisions in Abuja following the 16th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasised that increased funding is designed to deliver reliable, high-quality care to vulnerable and underserved populations.

 Pate said the aggressive strategy was to overhaul frontline services and ensure funding translates into actual clinical results for vulnerable citizens.

He said ​under the infrastructure rollout, the Federal Government will scale BHCPF support from 8,309 to 13,521 primary healthcare centers (PHCs)—adding 5,212 operational facilities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The total Q3 statutory release of ₦40.76 billion is being distributed across the four core gateway agencies based on their legal shares. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) receives the largest portion at ₦19.87 billion (48.75 percent) to fund coverage for vulnerable groups and the inmate extension. 

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) follows with ₦18.34 billion (45 percent) for frontline clinic operations and essential medical supplies. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) receives ₦2.04 billion (5 percent) for emergency transport services, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) gets ₦509.48 million (1.25 percent) to support disease outbreak responses.

To ensure essential medicines are consistently available at grassroots clinics, the MOC approved pooled procurement through MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation. This approach incorporates strict pricing benchmarks, value-for-money safeguards, and supply-chain monitoring to deliver quality-assured commodities without delays.

Following a direct request from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Committee approved extending health insurance to approximately 90,000 inmates nationwide through the NHIA. Implementation will follow strict reporting guidelines, and inmates already covered under existing state health schemes will be excluded to avoid duplication.

To ensure resources reach grassroots facilities efficiently, the Ministry is instituting tighter financial oversight and administrative reforms. A dedicated subcommittee has been established to investigate operational bottlenecks stalling the flow of funds through state treasuries, local governments, and frontline health centers, with a final report expected within six weeks.

At the same time, the Federal Government is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to track releases down to the facility level and prevent any diversion of funds.

Highlighting the need for state-level partnership, Pate commended the Katsina State government for releasing ₦243 million to its State Health Insurance Agency and urged remaining states and the FCT to fulfill their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act of 2014.

"The government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for. Increased financing must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management, and improved health outcomes, Pate noted."

Additionally, the MOC advanced a phased co-financing model to assist state governments in recruiting and permanently absorbing Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers, reinforcing Nigeria’s frontline healthcare workforce.

The Q3 disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) represents an ₦7.88 billion jump (24 percent) over the ₦32.88 billion allocated in Q2. It signals a dramatic acceleration in monthly statutory funding into Nigeria’s primary healthcare network, which has surged from ₦8.95 billion to ₦20.43 billion monthly under the government's Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).