The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare spent just ₦36 million of its ₦218 billion capital budget for 2025, Minister of Health Prof. Mohammed Pate revealed during the ministry’s 2026 budget defence before the House Committee on Healthcare Services.
Pate attributed the severe underperformance to persistent cash flow constraints and systemic bottlenecks in the federal government’s budget execution process. He specified that while personnel costs were fully funded, capital releases were crippled by the “bottom-up cash planning system” of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Delays in Nigeria’s counterpart contributions to donor-supported health programmes further prevented the ministry from accessing matching funds, compounding implementation challenges.
This outcome follows a recurring pattern where large capital allocations for health are approved but lack actual cash backing, especially during periods of fiscal pressure and competing national priorities. The shortfall stalls critical investments in healthcare infrastructure, equipment, disease control, and primary care revitalisation, leading to project rollovers and under-utilised donor funding.
Despite these financial hurdles, Pate stated the ministry operates within established frameworks like the National Health Act, the 2016 National Health Policy, and Vision 20:2020, all aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage. The 2026 budget proposal was prepared using the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, aligned with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial deliverables.
Committee Chairman Dr. Amos Magaji directed the minister to submit comprehensive documentation on all donor funds received, including disbursement and utilisation details, to strengthen legislative oversight of health financing and accountability.
The disclosure underscores the systemic challenge of translating large budget allocations into tangible health infrastructure, a critical issue for Nigeria’s healthcare delivery and progress toward universal coverage.
