Nigeria urged to cut out-of-pocket health costs, increase funding — WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Nigeria and other African countries to raise public health spending to at least 20 percent of total health expenditure, while reducing out-of-pocket payments that often push households into financial hardship.
Speaking at the Health Financing Dialogue hosted by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Abuja, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohammed Janabi, stressed that sustainable health financing is critical for building resilient health systems.
Janabi commended Nigeria’s policy reforms, including the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), the NHIA Act, and the expansion of state-level insurance schemes, describing them as vital steps toward universal health coverage. He urged policymakers to make the Abuja dialogue a turning point where commitments translate into sustained action.
“With a population of over 223 million, how Nigeria finances healthcare will significantly influence Africa’s future,” Janabi said, while highlighting innovations such as equity and investment units and the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage as models for the continent.
The African Union (AU) and the Global Fund also lauded Nigeria’s leadership in health financing reforms. AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Amb. Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, praised the government’s approval of $1.7 billion for HOPE Projects to strengthen governance, expand primary healthcare, and improve service delivery.
She noted that stronger domestic investment was vital for peace, security, and achieving the AU’s Agenda 2063, adding: “If Nigeria gets it right, Africa will get it right.”
Also speaking, Maria Kirova of the Global Fund applauded Nigeria’s efforts in combating HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and its investments in health infrastructure, surveillance systems, supply chains, and revitalization of primary healthcare.
