The Social Advancement Forum (SAF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to healthcare reforms, highlighting the administration’s targeted interventions and policy decisions that have improved access to affordable medicines and quality health services across Nigeria.
In a communiqué issued by its Chairman, Mr Shehu Atta, SAF expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Minister of Health and Social Development, Professor Muhammad Pate, for their leadership in revitalising the health sector.
SAF noted that the government launched the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) in December 2023, signing agreements with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to the group, NHSRII has already mobilised over $3 billion in external funding, with substantial domestic investments projected over the next four years.
Responding to the rising cost of healthcare, President Tinubu restructured the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to widen access to essential services in accordance with the National Health Act of 2014. SAF observed that this has been particularly evident in the revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), with the approval for the establishment of over 8,800 new PHCs nationwide. More than 2,100 PHCs are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
Mr Atta further highlighted investments in the upgrading of tertiary hospitals to better manage trauma, oncology, and infectious diseases.
On disease prevention, SAF praised the government’s significant investments in malaria treatment and vaccination programmes, especially for children under five. He also noted ongoing collaborations with international bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Global Fund, and the U.S. Government to tackle tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
SAF emphasised that sustainable financing has been central to the health sector’s transformation. It cited a 41.5% increase in the 2023 health budget, from ₦826.9 billion to ₦1.17 trillion, and a 58.5% rise in the 2025 budget, from ₦1.62 trillion to ₦2.56 trillion. This financial commitment, according to SAF, has expanded health insurance coverage, enrolling over 2 million new members into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and strengthened national health security.
The forum also lauded efforts in workforce development, stating that over 53,000 frontline health workers have been retrained in the past year, moving towards a target of 120,000. These health workers, many serving remote communities, are now better equipped to deliver immunisations, health education, and timely medical referrals.
Through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, more than $1 billion in investments have been secured for local pharmaceutical and medical device production, with partnerships encouraging innovation and technology transfer to position Nigeria as a regional healthcare manufacturing hub.
SAF also highlighted progress in tertiary healthcare, revealing that six modern cancer treatment centres are under development in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, with two expected to open by May 2025. These facilities are intended to reduce reliance on medical tourism by bringing quality care closer to Nigerians facing critical illnesses.
