FG Launches $1.07bn Health, Governance Programmes

The Federal Government has launched $1.07bn health and governance programmes aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, improving public sector governance and accelerating human capital development across the country.

President Bola Tinubu unveiled the initiatives on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, through the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Professor Taiwo Oyedele, according to a statement by the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.

The statement said the programmes comprise the $570m Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme (HOPE-PHC) and the $500m Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity-Governance (HOPE-GOV), both under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

According to the statement, Tinubu said the interventions were designed to ensure that the gains of the country’s economic reforms translate into improved healthcare, better governance and higher living standards for Nigerians.

He said Nigeria recorded 11.2 per cent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth last year, while per capita income in dollar terms grew by nearly 10 per cent. He added that foreign reserves had strengthened, inflation had eased significantly from its peak, and 15 million vulnerable households had benefited from the Federal Government’s expanded social transfer programme.

The President said the new programmes would build on those gains by investing in healthcare, education and governance reforms at the grassroots.

According to him, the HOPE-GOV programme will improve budget planning, strengthen governance systems and support the recruitment of teachers and frontline health workers, particularly in underserved communities.

He added that the HOPE-PHC programme will strengthen primary healthcare delivery nationwide, using the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund as its anchor to improve access to quality healthcare.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, said the programmes demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope health agenda through measurable reforms.

Pate said the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative is built on four pillars: effective governance, equitable and quality healthcare delivery, strengthening the healthcare value chain through local production, and improving health security and emergency preparedness.

Highlighting progress under the initiative, the minister said the government has revitalised 3,026 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide, while 231 secondary hospitals have received maternal and newborn care equipment worth $200,000 per state.

He also revealed that 43,417 women and newborns had been transported through rural emergency medical and maternal transport services, while 42,970 Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services were provided between October 2024 and March 2026.

According to the minister, 78,054 frontline health workers have also been trained, while facilities supported under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund recorded 45.5 million patient visits in a single quarter.

“The reforms are increasing service utilisation, with more women choosing to give birth in health facilities, reflecting renewed confidence in the health system. They are increasing uptake of essential health services, with more families choosing modern family planning and more children receiving life-saving vaccines,” Pate said.

Also speaking, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said Nigeria had made significant progress in expanding access to quality healthcare, particularly for mothers, children and vulnerable groups.

Verghis said the Universal Health Coverage Compact involving the Federal Government, states, local governments, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector has strengthened accountability and coordination in the health sector.

According to him, the HOPE-PHC programme, supported by the World Bank and a Multi-Donor Trust Fund, will further improve healthcare delivery and help Nigeria maximise the potential of its population.

The President also launched the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Additional Financing (NG-CARES AF), the HOPE Programme comprising HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU, and the Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID) programme as part of the Federal Government’s broader drive for inclusive and sustainable national development.