Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system through inclusive policies, digital innovation, strategic investments, and improved service delivery as part of ongoing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This was contained in a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made this known while delivering the keynote address at the Insights Learning Forum (ILF) 2026 held on Wednesday, 29th July 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
He explained that the National Digital Health Architecture, endorsed by all states and the Federal Capital Territory, is creating an interoperable digital health ecosystem anchored on the principle of “One Patient, One Health Record,” while innovations such as telemedicine are improving access to quality healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
Commenting on the theme of the Forum:”Strengthening National Health Systems Through Inclusive Policy, Innovation and Service Delivery.”the Minister noted that it aligns with the operational framework of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in December 2023, adding that the administration remains focused on moving the health sector from fragmented interventions to integrated systems capable of delivering measurable impact.
The Health Minister explained that the administration’s Eight-Point Health Agenda and the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint are driving comprehensive reforms aimed at addressing workforce shortages, infrastructure deficits, financing gaps and service fragmentation through coordinated implementation, strong partnerships and evidence-based policies.
According to the Minister, the reforms have the potential to generate annual economic returns of aboutN4.8 trillion through reductions in preventable diseases, retain an estimated N850 billion currently lost annually to outbound medical tourism, reduce preventable maternal and child deaths by as much as 50 percent, and significantly improve health outcomes across the country.
Highlighting more on notable progress recorded under the reforms, he cited the development of over 21 strategic health policies, expansion of health insurance coverage, construction of more than 500 high-impact health infrastructure projects, establishment of 17 new federal tertiary health institutions and six Centres of Excellence for Cancer Care, revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities and strengthened health research systems.
On health financing, Dr. Salako reiterated the Federal Government’s support for legislative efforts to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one percent to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, annoucing that N235billion out of the cumulative N339 billion BHCPF have been released and disbursed since inception the current administration, with the latest N32.9 billion disbursement in the second quarter of 2026 supporting more than 8,300 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide through performance-based financing linked to clearly defined Disbursement Linked Indicators.
The Minister also outlined significant progress in strengthening Nigeria’s health workforce through expanded recruitment and retention strategies, implementation of the Health Workforce Migration Policy, engagement of Nigerian health professionals in the diaspora, revitalization of over 3,000 Primary Healthcare, improvement on emergency medical ambulance systems, and measurable reductions in maternal and newborn deaths.
Despite these achievements, the Minister acknowledged that considerable work remains to be done, thereby called on state governments, development partners, the private sector and health technology innovators, for greater alignment with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Compact and the National Digital Health Architecture to eliminate fragmented interventions and strengthen coordinated implementation under the Sector-Wide Approach.
The Minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government remains committed to building a resilient, equitable, and technology-driven health system capable of meeting the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.
Dr. Salako also commended eHealth Africa for its sustained partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, particularly its support in solarizing 238 public health facilities across 12 states under the National Power for Health Initiative, strengthening health data systems, and supporting the establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centres in several states, describing the interventions as practical demonstrations of the impact of collaborative partnerships in advancing healthcare delivery.
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