The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and drive health sector reforms with renewed commitments under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in 2025.
This follows key resolutions reached at the 11th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
The MOC announced two major disbursements totalling over ₦65 billion to support the continued implementation of the BHCPF in 2025.
According to the Committee, ₦32.88 billion from the first-quarter 2025 release has been approved to cover BHCPF implementation for both the first and second quarters of the year.
The allocation, split evenly at ₦16.44 billion per quarter, aligns with the 2020 BHCPF Guidelines and is expected to ensure the continuity of critical health financing activities.
A further ₦32.88 billion was also approved for third-quarter implementation, with disbursement expected by the end of August or upon the release of funds by relevant authorities.
“We are determined to ensure that these funds are not just released but are impactful,” Prof. Pate said. “This is about delivering real services to Nigerians at the grassroots.”
The MOC reaffirmed its commitment to timely and efficient disbursement mechanisms to move the country closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Additionally, the Committee formally approved the revised BHCPF Guidelines 2.0, which are slated for dissemination before the end of the third quarter.
The updated guidelines aim to enhance implementation coordination and accountability across all levels, the Minister said.
As part of efforts to improve data transparency and service delivery monitoring, the MOC also confirmed the phased rollout of the Mini District Health Information System (Mini-DHIS) beginning in July 2025.
The platform is expected to enable real-time visibility into operations at the primary healthcare level.
Before the resolutions, the gateways to the Fund presented their progress reports and strategic updates on their activities.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reported that over ₦74.8 billion has been disbursed through the Fund since its inception in 2019.
As of the second quarter of 2025, over 2.6 million beneficiaries have been enrolled under the BHCPF, with health insurance coverage extended across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NHIA also disclosed that it has scaled total health insurance enrolment to over 20 million Nigerians, and outlined plans to complete protocol finalization, facility accreditation, and data verification, while expanding citizen engagement efforts.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) reported that 752 Programme Financial Management Officers (PFMOs) have now been deployed across 98 percent of local government areas.
The agency also disclosed that 6,512 out of 8,354 BHCPF-supported primary health centres have been visited, reflecting a 78 percent active oversight rate.
In the last quarter alone, 301 PHCs were revitalized, bringing the cumulative total to 1,163 completed facilities as of June 2025.
The National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC) revealed that 25 States have now established Emergency Medical Services (
The updated guidelines aim to enhance implementation coordination and accountability across all levels, the Minister said.
As part of its efforts to improve data transparency and service delivery monitoring, the MOC also confirmed the phased rollout of the Mini District Health Information System (Mini-DHIS) beginning in July 2025.
The platform is expected to enable real-time visibility into operations at the primary healthcare level.
Before the resolutions, the gateways to the Fund presented their progress reports and strategic updates on their activities.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reported that over ₦74.8 billion has been disbursed through the Fund since its inception in 2019.
As of the second quarter of 2025, over 2.6 million beneficiaries have been enrolled under the BHCPF, with health insurance coverage extended across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NHIA also disclosed that it has scaled total health insurance enrolment to over 20 million Nigerians and outlined plans to complete protocol finalization, facility accreditation, and data verification, while expanding citizen engagement efforts.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) reported that 752 Programme Financial Management Officers (PFMOs) have now been deployed across 98 percent of local government areas.
The agency also disclosed that 6,512 out of 8,354 BHCPF-supported primary health centres have been visited, reflecting a 78 percent active oversight rate.
In the last quarter alone, 301 PHCs were revitalized, bringing the cumulative total to 1,163 completed facilities as of June 2025.
The National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC) revealed that 25 States have now established Emergency Medical Services (EMS) structures, with 13 States and the FCT fully operational while an additional 12 States have been onboarded.
So far, nearly 2,900 patients have received emergency treatment under the BHCPF EMS gateway.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) emphasized the integration of surveillance and health security functions into the BHCPF platform as a key step in improving early warning systems and outbreak response at the community level.
Providing updates on coordination efforts, the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Secretariat outlined recent improvements in sectoral planning, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and joint reviews that aim to improve health outcomes through better alignment among partners.
Similarly, the EU-supported SARAH project reported progress in accountability systems, digital service delivery tracking, and capacity-building initiatives targeting maternal and child health.
This includes training on adolescent-friendly services, public financial management, and preparations for implementing the Safer Birth Bundle of Care.
Other milestones include expanded training in comprehensive and basic emergency obstetric care and enhanced surveillance of maternal and child mortality.
To further improve sectoral transparency, the MOC resolved to increase visibility around the outcomes of health sector reforms by investing in strategic communications, documenting success stories, and expanding engagement with the media.
“We must tell the story of what is working in our health system,” Prof. Pate added. “It is not enough to make progress—we must also show Nigerians that things are changing for the better.”
The Minister reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to delivering equitable, accountable, and efficient healthcare to Nigerians through the sustained implementation of the BHCPF and the broader goals of the health sector reform agenda.
