Tinubu approves N1tr initiative for states to strengthen PHCs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a N1 trillion ($1.2 billion) performance-based financing initiative for state governments to strengthen primary healthcare (PHC) systems by recruiting health workers and improving services.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this at the 2025 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on PHC Delivery in Abuja.

He said the initiative, along with year-on-year increases in health budget allocations underscores the government’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He noted that the Federal Government has intensified its commitment to strengthening primary health care by training and retraining over 60,000 health workers, expanding PHC revitalisation efforts across states, and enhancing maternal and newborn health services.

Pate observed that the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Initiative, under Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focuses on reducing maternal deaths, providing free emergency treatment for obstetric complications, and eliminating financial barriers for women, especially in rural areas.

The minister stressed the need to encourage breastfeeding, maternal care, and early childhood nutrition, ensuring that our children grow healthy and strong.

Pate noted that the recent detection of Circulating Variant Polio Virus Type 2 (cVPV2), remains a major challenge.

“These are not new challenges—we have successfully addressed similar issues in the past. I recall that in 2009, despite resource constraints, Nigeria vaccinated more children than in previous years, proving that with strong leadership, commitment, and community engagement, we can overcome obstacles,” he said.

The minister stated that the Traditional lender’s leadership, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization have been instrumental in advancing and sustaining the collective efforts to protect the health and well-being of our communities.

He applauded their commitment to strengthening PHC, alongside addressing other pressing issues affecting the population adding that the NTLC remains one of the longest-lasting volunteer-driven initiatives anywhere in the world, having operated consistently for 16 years without interruption.

On the National Health Fellowship Programme, Pate disclosed that over 360,000 applications were received as fellows were selected on merit, adding that the government is set to deploy them to improve accountability and health service delivery.

The minister urged traditional and religious leaders, to support these young fellows as they work within their communities.