The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive, digital and resilient healthcare system through policy reforms, strategic investments and improved service delivery aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Insights Learning Forum (ILF) 2026 held in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening National Health Systems Through Inclusive Policy, Innovation and Service Delivery,” Salako said the Tinubu administration’s health reforms are addressing workforce shortages, infrastructure deficits, financing gaps and fragmented service delivery through coordinated implementation, strategic partnerships and evidence-based policies.
He said the National Digital Health Architecture, endorsed by the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is creating an interoperable digital health ecosystem anchored on the principle of “One Patient, One Health Record,” while telemedicine is expanding access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
According to the minister, the reforms are expected to generate annual economic returns of about ₦4.8 trillion through reductions in preventable diseases, retain an estimated ₦850 billion lost yearly to outbound medical tourism, cut preventable maternal and child deaths by up to 50 per cent and improve overall health outcomes nationwide.
Salako said the reforms are being implemented under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), launched by President Bola Tinubu in December 2023, and driven by the administration’s Eight-Point Health Agenda and Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.
Highlighting progress recorded so far, the minister said the government has developed more than 21 strategic health policies, expanded health insurance coverage, initiated over 500 high-impact health infrastructure projects, established 17 new federal tertiary health institutions and six Centres of Excellence for Cancer Care, revitalised primary healthcare facilities and strengthened health research systems.
On health financing, Salako reiterated the Federal Government’s support for increasing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund through legislative amendments.
He disclosed that ₦235 billion out of the cumulative ₦339 billion approved under the BHCPF has been released and disbursed under the current administration, with the latest ₦32.9 billion released in the second quarter of 2026 supporting more than 8,300 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide through performance-based financing tied to clearly defined Disbursement Linked Indicators.
The minister also highlighted progress in strengthening the health workforce through expanded recruitment and retention programmes, implementation of the National Health Workforce Migration Policy, engagement of Nigerian health professionals in the diaspora, revitalisation of more than 3,000 primary healthcare centres, improvements in emergency ambulance services and measurable reductions in maternal and newborn deaths.
Despite the gains, Salako said more work remains and called on state governments, development partners, the private sector and health technology innovators to align 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.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a resilient, equitable and technology-driven health system capable of meeting the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.
The minister also commended eHealth Africa for supporting the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, particularly through the solarisation of 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.
