Reps Praise Health Ministry Performance, Seek Faster Release of Primary Healthcare Funds
The House of Representatives has commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its performance, particularly in the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), while urging the timely release of funds to further strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the country.
The commendation was given on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of the Ministry’s 2026 Headquarters Budget Proposal before the Joint House Committees on Health Services.
Presenting the budget, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, said the Ministry proposed a total expenditure estimate of ₦224.36 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to him, the proposed budget comprises ₦186.72 billion for capital expenditure, ₦10.36 billion for personnel costs, ₦25.89 billion for multilateral and bilateral loans, and ₦1.59 billion for overhead costs.
Prof. Pate emphasised that effective service delivery depends more on the timely release of funds than on budgetary allocations, expressing confidence that improved coordination among relevant government institutions would enhance liquidity and fund utilisation.
“It’s not the allocation; it’s about the releases. If the resources are made available, the Ministry and my colleagues are ready to execute efficiently,” he said.
The Coordinating Minister also disclosed that Nigeria will host two major international health-related events in 2026—the Fifth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) scheduled for June 29–30, and the Commonwealth Meeting on Nursing. He noted that hosting the AMR meeting, expected to attract about 170 ministers and senior global officials, would require an additional budgetary provision of approximately ₦2 billion.
Reviewing the Ministry’s 2025 budget performance, Prof. Pate reported a 100 per cent utilisation of personnel costs processed through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He added that out of the ₦1.5 billion overhead allocation for 2025, ₦832.28 million was released between January and October, with a utilisation rate of 99.8 per cent.
However, he disclosed that capital releases for 2025 were yet to be accessed due to the bottom-up cash plan policy of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, describing the situation as unusual. Despite this challenge, he highlighted achievements recorded through key intervention programmes such as the Presidential Vaccine Taskforce (PVAC), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and the BHCPF.
Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Rt. Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, praised the Ministry’s implementation of the BHCPF, describing the fund as critical to improving health outcomes at the grassroots level.
“If we truly want to provide healthcare for our people, it starts from primary healthcare. We may not be where we should be yet, but many states and local governments have risen to the challenge,” Magaji said.
While commending the Ministry’s efforts, the House urged it to work with relevant authorities to reduce delays in the release of BHCPF funds and requested the appointment of a liaison officer to improve communication on health intervention programmes.
Rt. Hon. Magaji further assured that the committee would thoroughly scrutinise the 2026 budget proposal with a view to approving it, noting concerns that the Ministry’s budget growth does not sufficiently reflect Nigeria’s increasing population. He added that the Minister would be invited for further clarification or adjustment where necessary.
The Coordinating Minister was accompanied to the budget defence by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, mni, alongside directors and heads of departments of the Ministry.
