KEY POINTS

• Nigeria plans to raise nearly $150 billion for vaccine procurement in 2025 and 2026 to strengthen its health sector and reduce dependence on foreign aid.

• Federal health spending has risen sharply, with allocations now at 5.2 per cent of the national budget and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund nearly doubling since 2024.

• The government aims to combine domestic resource mobilisation, local engagement, and innovative financing strategies to improve healthcare access and public confidence, potentially reducing costs for ordinary Nigerians.

The Nigerian government has announced plans to raise nearly $150 billion to finance vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026 as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s health sector and improve domestic healthcare delivery.

The disclosure came from Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, during the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, held under the theme “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.” The review is a central accountability platform for assessing the performance of the health sector and aligning national priorities with fiscal realities.

Health Spending Soars Amid Ambitious Vaccine Drive

Edun said that allocations to the health sector had risen sharply in 2025, with the Basic Health Care Provision Fund increasing from $31.5 billion in 2024 to nearly $299 billion projected for 2026. He added that federal spending on health now represents 5.2 per cent of the national budget, up from just over three per cent a few years ago.

“We are actively seeking to raise additional funds, perhaps as much as $150 billion, to cover vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026,” Edun said, noting that closing the gap between appropriation and the release of funds remains a priority.

The minister also highlighted the importance of domestic resource mobilisation, warning that without contributions from state and local governments, federal reforms and funding efforts would have limited impact.

Shifting From Donor Dependence to Local Solutions

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, stressed that the government was working to reduce reliance on foreign aid by strengthening local production of medicines, vaccines, and health technologies. He said subnational governments would be encouraged to invest in critical sectors such as health, education, water, sanitation, and nutrition, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ward-based development strategy.

“By combining domestic resources, local engagement, and measurable outcomes, Nigeria is steadily building a health system that is resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the people it serves,” Pate said.

According to SaharaReporters, the government is also exploring innovative financing methods, including levies on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships, and digital solutions to improve transparency and accountability in health spending.