By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Government has approved ₦32.9 billion for disbursement to over 8,000 primary health centres under a renewed phase of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The initiative is aimed at expanding access and strengthening accountability across Nigeria’s health system.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the plan at the 12th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting in Abuja, where he also unveiled the BHCPF 2.0 Revised Guideline. The new policy framework increases quarterly allocations to cover essential drugs, health worker incentives, emergency services and operational costs.
Pate said the disbursement, to be completed before the end of October, will expand to 13,000 health facilities nationwide under the next phase. He added that stronger oversight mechanisms have been introduced, including digital tracking systems, conflict-of-interest rules and a joint task force with the ICPC to monitor fund utilisation at grassroots level.
“We are deepening accountability in the system. Stronger oversight, digital tracking and conflict-of-interest rules will ensure that every naira serves Nigerians at the grassroots,” Pate said.
He also disclosed that states must submit verified National Identification Numbers of beneficiaries by December 2025 to enhance transparency and prevent duplication. According to him, data from the ministry shows more than 80 million patient visits in the first half of 2025 and a 12 percent reduction in maternal deaths recorded at facility level since BHCPF reforms began.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said assessments show BHCPF-supported facilities deliver better services and higher patient turnout than those without access to the fund. Development partners including WHO and UNICEF commended the reforms, citing improved accountability and data quality in Nigeria’s health sector.
