FG approves ₦65bn as intervention to basic health services in 2025
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate
FG approves ₦65bn as intervention to basic health services in 2025
The Federal Government has disbursed over ₦65 billion to support the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in 2025. This decision was made at the 11th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting held in Abuja on Monday.
From the first quarter of 2025, ₦32.88 billion has been approved to fund BHCPF activities for both the first and second quarters. The money will be split equally, with ₦16.44 billion for each quarter.
This follows the 2020 BHCPF Guidelines and will help keep important health services running smoothly. Another ₦32.88 billion was also approved for the third quarter, and the funds are expected to be released by the end of August or when approvals are completed.
The meeting was chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
The committee promised to continue releasing funds quickly to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and help achieve Universal Health Coverage. It also approved the revised BHCPF Guidelines 2.0, which will be shared before the end of the third quarter to improve coordination and accountability across all levels.
To make health data more transparent and to monitor services better, the committee confirmed that the Mini District Health Information System will start rolling out in July 2025. This will provide real-time updates on what is happening in primary healthcare centres.
During the meeting, it was revealed that since 2019, over ₦74.8 billion has been disbursed through the Fund. By the second quarter of 2025, more than 2.6 million people have benefited from the BHCPF, with health insurance covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
More than 20 million Nigerians are now enrolled in health insurance, with plans to accredit more facilities, verify data, and increase public awareness.
It was also reported that 752 financial management officers have been deployed to nearly all local government areas. Out of 8,354 primary health centres supported by the Fund, 6,512 have been visited, showing strong monitoring efforts. In the last quarter alone, 301 health centres were improved, bringing the total number of revitalised facilities to 1,163 as of June 2025.
Emergency Medical Services structures have been established in 25 states. Thirteen states and the Federal Capital Territory are fully operational, while 12 other states are getting ready. Nearly 2,900 patients have received emergency treatment under this programme.
Efforts are also being made to integrate disease surveillance into the BHCPF platform to help detect and respond to disease outbreaks faster. Officials highlighted improvements in planning, monitoring, and evaluation to deliver better health services.
Progress has also been made in training health workers in safe childbirth practices and adolescent health services.
The committee agreed to increase communication about these reforms to share success stories with Nigerians.
The Minister assured that the government remains committed to providing fair, accountable, and effective healthcare through the BHCPF and other healthsector reforms.
