Muhammad Basheer HotoroThe Federal Government has approved the disbursement of ₦32.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025 through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and expand health insurance coverage across Nigeria’s 36 states.
The funds, which will be released in January 2026, are in line with the BHCPF 2.0 guidelines, aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and transparency in the health sector.
Speaking at the fourth quarterly meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for 2025 in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the disbursement reflects the federal government’s commitment to sustainable health financing and improved service delivery at the
primary healthcare level.
She explained that releasing the funds early in January would ensure a smooth process and enable healthcare facilities to support patients more consistently.
To enhance transparency, citizen feedback and accountability in BHCPF-supported interventions, Kachollom announced the inclusion of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) as a member of the MOC. She also revealed plans to strengthen local government participation and establish a Citizens’ Response Centre (CRC).
Kachollom praised the reforms implemented under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, noting that coordinated leadership and sector-wide collaboration have driven improvements in healthcare delivery.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, said regular BHCPF disbursements have led to measurable gains, including increased utilisation of primary healthcare centres, improved immunisation coverage and greater access to essential health services.
He disclosed that from January 2026, funding to facilities will be based on patient volume, with low-volume facilities receiving ₦600,000 per quarter and high-volume facilities receiving ₦800,000, replacing the previous flat-rate system. According to him, the new model is designed to align funding with service demand and reduce out-of-pocket health spending.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said the agency has strengthened systems that allow Nigerians to track health fund utilisation, contributing to improved health insurance coverage nationwide.
