N igeria’s National Assembly has raised the country’s health sector allocation by N300 billion in the newly approved 2025 budget, bringing the total national budget to N54.9 trillion.
Initially, the government proposed N2.48 trillion for health, representing 5.18% of the total budget—far below the 15% benchmark set by the Abuja Declaration, an African Union agreement aimed at boosting healthcare funding.
Lawmakers justified the increase, citing the need to sustain critical health programs previously funded by the US government. The US had suspended its aid for vaccines and treatments targeting HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio, which were largely provided through USAID.
Government Steps in to Fill the Gap
“The recent suspension of US intervention in Nigeria’s health sector will have serious consequences for millions of citizens. In response, President Bola Tinubu has proactively allocated $200 million (N300 billion) through the service-wide vote to address this shortfall,” said Senator Adeola Olamilekan, chairman of the Joint Appropriation Committee.
Nigeria has long relied on international funding, especially through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). However, the recent US decision has put USAID personnel on administrative leave, disrupting several health initiatives.
The move underscores Nigeria’s growing efforts to reduce dependence on foreign aid while ensuring that critical healthcare services remain uninterrupted.
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