The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deeper collaboration with the private sector to strengthen the healthcare system as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) unveiled a ₦20 billion fund to improve access to financing for healthcare businesses across the country.

The fund was launched on Tuesday at the FCMB Healthcare Summit 2026, themed “Financing Growth. Unlocking Opportunity. Building the Future of Healthcare,” which brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners to discuss sustainable financing for the sector.

Speaking at the summit, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, said the government was implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s health system and remained committed to working more closely with the private sector to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

As part of the launch, FCMB presented a ceremonial cheque representing the ₦20 billion healthcare fund to the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria on behalf of private healthcare providers across the country.

Speaking during a special industry session, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mrs Njide Ndili, described the initiative as a significant step towards improving access to financing for healthcare businesses.

She said stronger partnerships among government, financial institutions and private healthcare providers would be critical to transforming healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

According to Ndili, access to affordable and fit for purpose financing remains one of the biggest drivers of sustainable growth in the sector.

She urged that the fund should prioritise small and medium sized healthcare enterprises, including clinics, pharmacies, diagnostic centres, maternity homes and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors, noting that they account for a large share of healthcare services across the country.

Drawing from HFN’s experience with the PharmAccess Medical Credit Fund, Ndili said healthcare SMEs had shown they could grow sustainably when financing was combined with technical assistance, investment readiness support, quality improvement initiatives and sound business practices.

She described access to capital as “without question, the single greatest constraint” limiting the growth of private healthcare providers, particularly smaller businesses.

Ndili also commended ongoing reforms by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and called for stronger public private collaboration, as well as greater private sector representation in health policy formulation and decision making.

She said HFN would work with FCMB to develop the framework for accessing the fund and ensure eligible healthcare providers nationwide benefit from the initiative.

According to her, the federation will leverage its network of more than 4,000 professionals and over 400 member organisations and affiliated associations to identify eligible healthcare facilities, support investment readiness and improve awareness of the financing opportunity.

HFN added that it would continue collaborating with the government, FCMB and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare businesses, improve service delivery and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.