Nigeria’s Health Sector Reform: A Mid-Year Performance Review

​President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a comprehensive assessment of his administration’s progress in the healthcare sector as of July 2026. The report, highlighting milestones achieved under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) since its inception in December 2023, points to a concerted effort to transform the nation’s health landscape through infrastructure development, workforce expansion, and enhanced financial protection for citizens.

​Key Milestones and Impact Metrics

​The administration’s data reveals significant strides across several critical areas:

• ​Primary Healthcare (PHC) Revitalization: The government has made substantial progress in upgrading the nation’s PHCs. Out of 4,161 facilities undergoing revitalization, 3,158 have been completed. Currently, 14,283 PHCs—more than half of the country’s total stock—are now fully functional.

• ​Health Insurance Expansion: Access to financial protection has grown, with over six million additional Nigerians enrolled in health insurance schemes since 2023. Total enrollment is estimated to exceed 22 million beneficiaries.

• ​Maternal and Child Health: Targeted interventions have yielded positive results. Maternal mortality in 172 focal Local Government Areas has declined by 17%, while newborn mortality has dropped by 10% compared to 2023 figures. Additionally, over 40,000 women have benefited from free Caesarean sections, and more than 4,000 have received free repairs for Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

• ​Immunization Successes: Vaccination drives have been extensive, with over 102 million children vaccinated against Measles-Rubella, 17.1 million girls protected via the HPV vaccine, and over 174 million polio vaccinations administered. Notably, Nigeria became the first African nation to deploy an Mpox vaccine.

• ​Workforce Development: To address the critical talent gap, the government has trained over 78,000 frontline health workers and recruited 20,000 professionals—including doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists—into federal tertiary hospitals.
• ​Infrastructure and Industrialization: Five hundred and three infrastructure projects have been delivered, including the upgrade of 20 federal tertiary hospitals. Furthermore, through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, the government is incentivizing local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports and stimulate the healthcare economy.

​Challenges and Perspectives

​While the government highlights these gains, the sector continues to face hurdles. Critics and budget analysts have pointed to the persistent gap between actual health spending and the Abuja Declaration benchmark, which mandates that 15% of government expenditure be allocated to health. Although nominal allocations have increased, the 2026 health budget remains at approximately 4.2% of the total federal expenditure.

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​Nevertheless, proponents of the NHSRII argue that the initiative’s true strength lies in its Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which aligns federal, state, and development partners under a unified framework. By coordinating financing, planning, and accountability, the administration aims to build a more resilient and responsive health system, positioning Nigeria as an emerging hub for medical investment and life sciences in Africa.

​Unlocking Nigeria’s Healthcare Value Chain

​This video provides additional context regarding the government’s efforts to transform the healthcare sector into a major pillar of economic growth through local industrialization and investment.