By Sola Ogundipe
The Federal Government has approved a ₦40.76 billion disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2026, combining a major financial boost for primary healthcare with the extension of health insurance to nearly 90,000 prison inmates nationwide. The approved allocation marks an increase of approximately ₦7.88 billion over the previous quarter’s allocation of ₦32.88 billion.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the decisions in Abuja following the 16th meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) on the BHCPF. He said the decisions reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved populations, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Pate noted that monthly statutory releases into the Fund had increased from approximately ₦8.95 billion to ₦13.08 billion and subsequently ₦20.43 billion. He stressed that increased financing must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management and improved health outcomes.
According to the Minister, the approved Q3 fund is being distributed across the four statutory gateways according to their required shares.
“The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) receives ₦19.87 billion (48.75 percent), while the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) gets ₦18.34 billion (45 percent). Additionally, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) receives ₦2.04 billion (5 percent), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is allocated ₦509.48 million (1.25 percent).”
To widen healthcare access, the Minister announced plans to expand BHCPF support from 8,309 to 13,521 primary healthcare facilities nationwide, adding 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
To improve access to essential medicines, the MOC approved the operationalisation of changes to the NPHCDA gateway, including pooled procurement through MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation. The arrangement will incorporate value-for-money safeguards, pricing benchmarks and supply-chain monitoring to strengthen transparency, quality assurance and reliable commodity supply.
Following a request from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Committee approved extending health insurance coverage to approximately 90,000 inmates of correctional facilities nationwide through the NHIA, the implementation will be subject to regular reporting and safeguards, with inmates already covered by state schemes excluded.
The Committee also considered a phased financing model to support states in recruiting and progressively absorbing Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers.
To address funding delays, the MOC resolved to establish a subcommittee to investigate bottlenecks in the flow of funds through the gateways, states and local government areas to health facilities, with the subcommittee expected to report within six weeks. The Committee also directed that letters be sent to state governors on the financial requirements for the NCDC to respond adequately to disease outbreaks.
On accountability, Pate said the Federal Government was collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to track health sector funds and prevent their misapplication.
“Government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for,” he said.
Pate commended the Governor of Katsina State for releasing ₦243 million to the State Health Insurance Agency to expand BHCPF coverage and urged other states and the FCT to fulfil their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act, 2014.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare financing, expanding access to essential services and ensuring that public health investments deliver measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable.
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