Manny Ita
The Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) and a coalition of health advocacy groups have issued a sharp critique of the Federal Government’s 2026 budgetary allocation to the health sector, characterizing the 4.3% provision as a significant failure to invest in the nation’s human capital. Speaking ahead of the association’s 57th Annual General Meeting in Abeokuta, PAN President Professor Ekanem Ekure warned that the N2.48 trillion earmarked for health—out of a total N58.47 trillion national budget—is insufficient to address the high rates of preventable childhood deaths across the country. The advocates emphasized that this figure falls drastically short of the 15% benchmark established by the 2001 Abuja Declaration, an agreement in which African Union member states pledged to prioritize healthcare funding to address systemic medical crises.
Professor Ekure noted that Nigeria continues to struggle with “suboptimal immunization coverage,” persistent malnutrition, and some of the world’s most alarming neonatal and under-five mortality rates. She argued that the current funding levels indicate that Nigeria remains “off-track in achieving SDG-3 targets,” referring to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for health and well-being. “The country remains one of those considered off-track,” she lamented, pointing out that the current allocation equates to approximately N10,400 per citizen for the entire fiscal year, a figure experts say cannot sustain a modern healthcare system.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) joined the criticism, with Secretary-General Dr. Benjamin Egbo describing the fiscal plan as “simply unacceptable” when adjusted for inflation and the declining purchasing power of the Naira. The NMA highlighted that the effective monthly spend per citizen under the current budget is roughly N870, which they argue is incapable of funding basic primary care, let alone specialized pediatric services. “At the end of the day, the allocation amounts to about N870 per citizen per month for healthcare services across the country,” the association stated, calling for a radical shift in political will to move beyond nominal budget increases that are erased by economic volatility.
In light of the funding gap, pediatricians are now advocating for the adoption of “innovative funding models” to prevent a total collapse of public health infrastructure. These proposals include intensified public-private partnerships and the implementation of outcome-based funding, which would link government disbursements directly to verified improvements in patient health. Professor Ekure stressed that while increased federal spending is critical, it must be matched by accountability and increased commitments from state governments. “Government spending on child health must increase, but it must be complemented by models tied to measurable child health outcomes,” she concluded, asserting that the revitalization of primary healthcare remains the only viable strategy to reverse the nation’s deteriorating health indices.
