“70% of Nigeria’s Medicines and 99% of Medical Devices Are Imported – Health Minister”
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The ongoing freeze of billions of dollars in global funding for U.S.-backed health and education programs, including in Nigeria, continues to generate widespread debate. Fears have intensified that the suspension of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assistance, initiated under the Donald Trump administration, may reverse significant progress in combating diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Speaking on Hard Copy, a program aired on Channels Television, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, addressed the nation’s preparedness to mitigate the effects of the aid cuts. He also discussed the fate of 28,000 Nigerian health workers previously funded by the now-halted U.S. program.
Nigeria’s Health Sector: The Core Challenges
Minister Pate emphasized that Nigeria’s health sector struggles primarily due to underinvestment in infrastructure, human resources, and medical equipment. The government’s historical allocation to healthcare has been minimal, with total health spending per capita at $120, significantly lower than the $4,000+ spent in the U.S. and U.K.
However, he noted that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes human capital development. Over the past 18 months, the government has taken deliberate steps to improve health sector investments, including:
• Strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure
• Expanding cancer treatment facilities and teaching hospitals
• Enhancing medical equipment and workforce training
• Boosting pharmaceutical production to reduce reliance on imports
Pate revealed that more than 70% of Nigeria’s medicines and 99% of medical devices are currently imported, a dependence that the government aims to reduce over time.
Impact of U.S. Aid Freeze: Is Nigeria at Risk?
While acknowledging the significant contributions of the U.S. in funding Nigeria’s HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, Pate downplayed fears that the aid freeze would cripple the country’s healthcare system. He noted that:
• U.S. funding accounts for only $67 per capita in a nation of over 200 million people.
• The majority (70%) of health funding in Nigeria comes from private sources, with government and overseas development aid making up the rest.
• The bulk of U.S. assistance was funneled through foreign implementing partners, not directly through Nigeria’s government.
While the U.S. policy shift may disrupt programs, Nigeria is moving towards self-sufficiency. President Tinubu has set up a cabinet committee to assess the financial gap left by the USAID exit and identify alternative funding sources.
“We may be a poor country, but we are a capable country and we are determined to own up to this responsibility,” Pate affirmed.
Transitioning 28,000 Health Workers and Strengthening Local Production
One major concern is the fate of 28,000 Nigerian health workers who were paid through U.S. funding. Pate acknowledged the issue but stressed that these workers are Nigerians, and the government is committed to integrating them into a sustainable health system.
To further reduce dependency on foreign aid, the government is:
• Investing in local drug manufacturing to reduce import reliance
• Encouraging private sector participation in healthcare financing
• Strengthening health surveillance and laboratory systems
Pate maintained that Nigeria does not need to rely on the most expensive, U.S.-manufactured drugs but can source quality, generic medications at lower costs.
Addressing Power Issues in Nigeria’s Hospitals
On the issue of persistent power shortages in hospitals, Pate cited University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, which faced over 100 days of electricity cuts due to unpaid debts to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
He explained that:
• The Federal Government intervened, helping UCH transition to off-grid power solutions like solar energy and limited diesel usage for critical services.
• Many hospitals were previously overcharged due to shared connections with non-hospital facilities.
• The 2025 budget includes a plan to solarize hospitals nationwide, working with the Rural Electrification Agency to reduce reliance on expensive diesel.
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges, Pate expressed confidence that Nigeria’s healthcare system is on the path to sustainability. With increased domestic funding, improved infrastructure, and local pharmaceutical production, the country aims to reduce reliance on foreign aid while ensuring quality healthcare for its citizens.
While the loss of U.S. funding presents difficulties, Nigeria’s leaders are focused on self-reliance and long-term health sector transformation.
