Abuja: The Federal Government says Nigeria must establish a permanent budget line for vaccines at federal, state, and local government levels to ensure predictable and sustainable financing for immunisation. The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the Financing Immunisation Champions Summit, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Anas-Kolo stated that immunisation funding could no longer depend on unpredictable external support or delayed budget releases, stressing the need for domestic resource mobilisation. She emphasized the necessity of a permanent budget line at all levels of government to prevent the loss of children’s lives due to inadequate funding for vaccines. Anas-Kolo highlighted the importance of the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, which prioritises sustainable immunisation financing, and commended lawmakers’ proposal to increase the statutory allocation for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one percent to two percent, urging that a clear allocation for vaccines be specified.
She identified delayed fund releases as a significant barrier, particularly at the subnational level, where many states announce allocations but fail to release them promptly for vaccine procurement and delivery. Anas-Kolo encouraged legislators to adopt performance indicators that would hold public office holders accountable, urging them to measure the number of immunised children and allocations made in their constituencies.
Rep. Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, stated that the summit aimed to strengthen collaboration between federal and state lawmakers to address high infant mortality rates and the significant number of zero-dose children in some states. He stressed the importance of not neglecting vaccines and primary healthcare to prevent rising maternal and infant mortality rates. Magaji also emphasized the need for increased commitments by states and local governments to match federal funding efforts.
Dr Muyi Aina, CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), noted that the summit aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which seeks to expand access to basic services such as immunisation. He highlighted the rising costs associated with expanding coverage and the need to accelerate health financing through domestic resources. Aina mentioned that the National Assembly is working to increase the BHCPF and restructure the release of vaccine funds to prevent delays, while urging states to deepen their commitments.
Chika Offor, Chief Executive of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, described the legislative push to raise BHCPF and pursue constitutional amendments to dedicate a portion of the federation account to health as a major advancement. She emphasized the need for sustainable financing of vaccines, which she described as “miracles,” and called for ring-fencing of immunisation funds, stronger subnational financing, and improved state accountability to ensure that funds lead to better health outcomes.