By FOLASADE AKPAN and RACHEAL ABUJAH

The Federal Government says it is seeking to raise N150 billion to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen immunisation and improve health outcomes.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, said this on Wednesday at the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja themed, “All Hands, One Mission.”

The JAR, held under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), brings together federal and state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and experts to assess performance and plan interventions for improved healthcare delivery.

Edun said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) increased from N31.5 billion in 2024 to nearly N299 billion for 2025 and 2026, while the total health budget rose by almost 60 per cent.

He noted that health now accounted for more than five per cent of the national budget, up from just over three per cent previously, reflecting renewed prioritisation of the sector under current reforms.

“The allocation is substantial, and though gaps remain between appropriation and release, we are committed to closing them to ensure essential vaccines and health services reach all Nigerians,” Edun said.

He highlighted the Ward-Based Development Programme, which channelled resources to all 8,809 wards across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas to empower health workers and strengthen community health systems.

Edun stressed the need to maximise domestic resource mobilisation, noting that global multilateral funding was declining and urging states to raise health and education spending to complement federal initiatives.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said Nigeria was reducing dependence on foreign aid and promoting local production of medicines, vaccines, and other essential health technologies.

According to him, the government aims to boost state and local investments in health, education, water, sanitation, and nutrition under the President’s ward-based development approach for community upliftment.

Pate said innovative financing options under review included taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships, and digital tools to promote transparency and accountability in managing national health funds.

“By combining domestic resources, local engagement, and measurable outcomes, Nigeria is building a resilient, inclusive, and responsive health system that truly serves its people,” the minister stated.

He said the sector had recorded tangible progress, citing a 17 per cent decline in maternal deaths, 12 per cent drop in newborn deaths, and 33 per cent rise in skilled birth attendance.

“More than 4,000 free caesarean sections have been performed in NHIA-empanelled facilities, while primary healthcare utilisation increased from 10 million visits in early 2024 to 45 million in mid-2025.

“Nearly half of women of reproductive age now use modern contraception, and vaccination coverage for measles, rubella, and HPV has met or surpassed national targets,’’ Pate added.

He said all 36 states and the FCT had operational health plans aligned with the National Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, while 72 per cent of states now manage non-communicable disease programmes.

“All 774 local government areas now host National Health Fellows and Public Financial Management Officers, surpassing targets and ensuring improved coordination and accountability in local health financing.”

Pate noted growing citizen participation, with surveys showing nearly half of Nigerians believed government considered their views in health decision-making, while patient satisfaction stood at 74 per cent nationwide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the signing of an updated Health Sector Renewal Compact, expanding participation to private sector representatives, local governments, civil society, and faith-based institutions.

The three-day review includes sessions on funding gaps, immunisation, primary healthcare, and innovation, as Nigeria consolidates recent gains and sustains momentum toward universal, equitable healthcare delivery. (NAN)