๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐36๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐218๐๐ง 2025 ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ โ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has disclosed that only N36 million was released from the N218 billion capital budget allocated to the health sector in the 2025 fiscal year, severely affecting the implementation of critical projects nationwide.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, revealed that the low level of fund releases made it impossible for the ministry to execute planned infrastructure upgrades, procurement of medical equipment and expansion of healthcare facilities. According to him, capital budgets are essential for strengthening hospitals, improving service delivery and addressing long-standing gaps in Nigeriaโs healthcare system.
He explained that despite the significant appropriation approved by lawmakers, the absence of adequate cash backing stalled many programmes designed to improve access to quality healthcare and modernise public health institutions. The minister noted that the ministry continues to engage relevant authorities to ensure improved budget performance in subsequent fiscal cycles.
Health sector stakeholders have expressed concern that delayed funding could worsen pressure on already overstretched hospitals and slow progress toward achieving universal health coverage goals. Analysts say the situation highlights broader challenges around budget implementation, urging stronger fiscal discipline and timely releases to ensure that approved allocations translate into tangible development outcomes.
