FG Approves ₦40.76bn Health Fund, Extends Insurance Coverage to 90,000 Inmates
The Federal Government has approved ₦40.76 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2026, representing an increase of ₦7.88 billion over the previous quarter’s allocation.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja after the 16th meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) on the BHCPF.
Pate said the increased allocation demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving access to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved Nigerians.
He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
According to the minister, the approved allocation of ₦40,758,116,943.50 will be distributed among the four statutory gateways of the fund.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will receive ₦19.87 billion, representing 48.75 per cent of the allocation, while the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) will receive ₦18.34 billion, representing 45 per cent.
The Emergency Medical Treatment gateway will receive ₦2.04 billion, equivalent to five per cent, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) will receive ₦509.48 million, representing 1.25 per cent.
Pate explained that monthly statutory releases into the fund had increased from approximately ₦8.95 billion to ₦13.08 billion and subsequently to ₦20.43 billion.
He, however, stressed that increased funding must result in timely disbursement, transparent financial management and tangible improvements in healthcare delivery.
90,000 Inmates to Benefit from Health Insurance
The minister announced that the committee had approved the extension of health insurance coverage to approximately 90,000 inmates in correctional facilities nationwide through the NHIA.
The decision followed a request from the Nigerian Correctional Service.
He said the implementation would be subject to regular reporting and appropriate safeguards, adding that inmates already covered by state health insurance schemes would be excluded to avoid duplication.
The committee also approved changes to the NPHCDA gateway to improve access to essential medicines through pooled procurement under MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation.
The arrangement will incorporate pricing benchmarks, value-for-money safeguards and supply-chain monitoring to promote transparency, ensure the quality of medicines and strengthen the reliability of medical commodity supplies.
FG to Expand BHCPF Coverage to 13,521 Health Facilities
Pate further disclosed plans to increase the number of primary healthcare facilities benefiting from the BHCPF from 8,309 to 13,521 nationwide.
The expansion will add 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The committee also considered a phased financing model to support state governments in recruiting and progressively absorbing Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers.
To address delays in fund disbursement, the MOC resolved to establish a subcommittee to investigate bottlenecks affecting the movement of funds through the gateways, states and local government areas to healthcare facilities.
The subcommittee is expected to submit its report within six weeks.
The committee also directed that letters be sent to state governors outlining the financial requirements needed to strengthen the NCDC’s capacity to respond effectively to disease outbreaks.
FG Partners ICPC to Track Health Funds
On accountability, Pate said the Federal Government was working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor health sector funds and prevent their misappropriation.
“Government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for,” he said.
The minister commended the Katsina State Governor for releasing ₦243 million to the State Health Insurance Agency to expand coverage under the BHCPF.
He urged other states and the FCT to fulfil their counterpart funding obligations as stipulated by the National Health Act, 2014.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare financing, expanding access to essential medical services and ensuring that public health investments translate into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations.
