Nigeria’s 36 states have collectively earmarked an unprecedented ₦2.36 trillion for health in their 2025 budgets, marking a major leap in subnational investment aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and accelerating progress toward universal health coverage.
The disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, during the third edition of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Awards Night held in Abuja. Naija247News gathered that the allocation represents a steady and deliberate rise in health spending over the past four years, with 30 per cent of the total budgets dedicated specifically to primary healthcare services.
According to AbdulRazaq, the combined health budget of states has grown from ₦831 billion in 2022 to ₦927 billion in 2023, rising sharply to ₦1.4 trillion in 2024 before reaching ₦2.36 trillion in 2025. He noted that the PHC Leadership Challenge has proven that purposeful leadership and accountability can translate into measurable improvements in health outcomes across states.
Naija247News understands that the increased funding has already begun yielding tangible results, including reductions in institutional maternal mortality rates and significant upgrades in PHC infrastructure nationwide. The NGF chairman explained that states have also expanded recruitment of health workers, helping to address long-standing gaps in frontline healthcare delivery.
To sustain accountability, AbdulRazaq revealed that the NGF has introduced scorecards to track states’ commitments to key health initiatives. He added that an expanded scorecard would be released in 2026 to monitor sub-national adherence to the Health Sector Renewal Compact, allowing governors to transparently assess progress and uphold their pledges.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, highlighted major gains from the collaboration between the federal government and state governors. Naija247News gathered that over 2,127 PHC facilities have been revitalised nationwide, with ongoing work in an additional 1,671 centres. Essential health commodities have also been distributed to at least one PHC in all 774 local government areas.
Dr. Aina disclosed that ₦52.5 billion has been disbursed to 8,309 PHCs under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund reforms since 2023, including ₦14.01 billion released in the first half of 2025. However, he urged states yet to recruit skilled birth attendants and community-based health workers to fast-track the process.
Naija247News reports that partners such as the Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank were commended for their support. With Gates Foundation funding set to conclude in 2026, stakeholders stressed the need for states to take full ownership of the initiative to ensure sustainability.
As states deepen investments in health, the 2025 budget signals a renewed determination to make quality primary healthcare accessible to every Nigerian, regardless of location or circumstance.
Babatunde Ogunsakin ✔
I am a results-driven professional with proven expertise in News Writing, Product Management, Customer Engagement, Business Development, International Education, Research, Community Development and Leadership. With a solid academic foundation in History and International Studies, I combine analytical depth with strategic insight to craft impactful stories, drive growth initiatives, and deliver innovative solutions aligned with global trends and the UN SDGs. My professional versatility is underscored by a strong ability to communicate effectively, inform diverse audiences, and contribute meaningfully to both media and development-oriented platforms.
View Archive →
