74% of Nigerians Satisfied with Healthcare Services, Minister Says

Nigerians are expressing growing confidence in the country’s healthcare system, with a recent report indicating that 74% of patients are satisfied with healthcare facilities and primary healthcare services nationwide​. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the announcement during the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light.”

Prof. Pate attributed the positive results to ongoing reforms and improvements in service delivery, noting that citizens’ perception surveys conducted in 2023, 2024, and 2025 consistently show encouraging trends​. “Patient satisfaction with healthcare facilities and primary healthcare services remains strong at 74 percent. This is a commendable result, given the challenges our system still faces,” he said.

Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged that affordability remains a significant barrier for many Nigerians. “Citizens have clearly indicated that affordability remains a major concern. Access to services is improving, but affordability must improve further,” Pate stated​. He highlighted that the government is working on initiatives such as the Medical Relief Programme and expanded social health protection to address these issues.

The government has also implemented over 21 new strategic policies to drive the health agenda, including the expansion of health insurance coverage, the construction of over 500 new high-impact projects, the establishment of 13 new federal tertiary health institutions, and the development of six cancer centres of excellence​. These efforts are part of the National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aims to strengthen health security and reduce preventable maternal and child deaths by up to 50%​.

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However, challenges persist. The 2025 proposed Federal Government budget falls short of the Abuja Declaration’s recommendation to allocate 15% of the national budget to healthcare​. Out-of-pocket spending still accounts for 71% of total health expenditure, pushing millions of Nigerians into poverty each year​. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, called for increased investment, transparency, and collaboration to strengthen system resilience and address persistent funding gaps, workforce shortages, and infrastructure deficits​.

At the sub-national level, over ₦32 billion was disbursed in the first and second quarters of 2025 to enhance service delivery in more than 8,000 primary healthcare centres across Nigeria​. These efforts have led to massive renovations, re-equipping of facilities, training of health workers, and consistent supply of essential medicines, making healthcare more accessible and improving the overall health and productivity of Nigerians​.

While the government celebrates these milestones, stakeholders agree that sustained investment and systemic reforms are essential to ensure that healthcare remains both accessible and affordable for all Nigerians​.