Abuja: Mr Mohammed Lecky, Chairman of the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), has criticized the inadequate implementation of Nigeria’s 2025 health budget, highlighting significant shortfalls in capital budget releases. At a news conference in Abuja, Lecky disclosed that only N36 million was released from the N218 billion designated for the 2025 capital budget, which accounts for a mere 0.016 percent of the intended amount.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lecky referenced comments made by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, during the 2026 budget defense session before the House of Representatives. Lecky emphasized that the lack of cash backing for budget appropriations severely undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s planning frameworks and poses a threat to the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Lecky pointed out that without reliable capital releases, long-term health projects like hospital upgrades, digital health systems, supply chain improvements, and workforce expansion become unattainable. He warned that the near-total collapse of capital releases has stalled the construction of Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, delayed equipment procurement, and disrupted investments in health technology. This has created a dangerous imbalance where personnel costs are covered, but infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
To address these issues, Lecky recommended increasing the allocation to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to at least 10 percent of the overall budget. He suggested that if meeting the 15 percent Abuja Declaration benchmark is challenging, the budget should aim for at least two-thirds of that target.
Mr Eze Onyekwere, an HSRC member and Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), echoed these concerns, urging the government to protect the health sector budget and ensure timely fund releases. Onyekwere also advocated for compulsory health insurance for all Nigerians and prioritization of immunization as a first-line expenditure.