In coming for this Press Conference I felt I should prepare my remarks in the form of a Letter to the Minister of Finance of an Urgent Request for Release of Funds for Immunization and Public Health Services
Dear Honourable Minister Minister of Finance.
1. Only a couple of days ago, on Wed, Nov 12 your very honourable self was with us in this year’s Joint Annual Review of the state of Nigeria’s health system and the health status of Nigerians.
2. Sir you’d recall that I made a passionate plea to the Hon Minister to let us go beyond celebrating the much talked about rise in budget allocation to Federal Ministry of Health but to take decisive steps to cashback and release money to the Ministry.
3. Hon Minister I represent the largest Coalition of Civil Societies organisations in the health sector, and we’re active stakeholders representing millions of Nigerian’s that are the Rights Holders in this enterprise, Nigeria.
4. I am writing to you on behalf of all of us Nigerian Rights Holders out there to respectfully request the prompt release of funds allocated for national immunization programs and essential health services managed by the Ministry of Health.
5. It is of grave concerns that with the year ending next month, funds as appropriated to the Ministry of Health is yet to be released. If not by now in November, then when will funds meant for use in 2025 will be released with just 1 month left in the year?
6. I do not want to remind the Hon Minister of the dire state of the health system starved of appropriated funds.
7. The Hon Minister of Finance is more than anyone aware that our national immunization program has been heavily dependent on external development assistance and early in the year this has been cut disrupting services and creating difficulties and pains across the country.
8. Hon Minister of Finance we were very glad and hopeful that working with your colleague Minister of Health Nigeria blazed the trail in quickly rising to the challenge of reduced donor funds by budgeting of $200 million dollars to cover shortfall in donor assistance. This move was applauded across international health organisations, including WHO. However, Hon Minister of Finance, that money has not been released in November as the year comes to an end next month.
9. Hon Minister of Finance with all due respect Sir, what exactly is going on that we’re not prioritising the health and lives of Nigeria. We’re in November with just one month to go for the year to end, and the budget for health is yet to be released. In my years of engagement with the public health system it has never been this bad that in November the budget for the health sector is still being awaited for release of funds.
10. Hon Minister of Finance this is a special focused appeal from Nigeria Rights Holders requesting the Hon Minister of Finance to release all the funds as appropriated to the Federal Ministry of Health.
11. Hon Minister of Finance I don’t want to distract from this plea by giving a catalogue of the sufferings and deficits associated with outbreaks, rising vaccine-preventable diseases, population growth which threaten the health and well-being of our citizens, particularly vulnerable groups: children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, rural communities. Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing suffering, reducing healthcare costs, and contributing to economic stability.
12. Sir funds are urgently needed now. Releasing funds now can avert future outbreaks, save lives, and reduce long-term health expenditures.
13. Hon Minister of Finance our Requested actions are: We respectfully request the timely release of the approved budget to be disbursed NOW.
14. We are ready as CSOs to provide any additional information, participate in briefings, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to ensure transparent and accountable use of the funds.
14. Hon Minister of Finance thank you Sir for your consideration and leadership in safeguarding the health of our people.
Sincerely,
Dr. Muhammed Lecky
Chairperson
Health Sector Reform Coalition Nigeria
Nov 14, 2025
