The Federal Government says it has allocated $200 million as an emergency intervention to cushion the impact of declining donor funding on Nigeria’s health programs, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining essential services and protecting decades of health gains.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced the assignment while delivering a keynote address at the 9th Annual Health Conference of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists (ANHeJ) on Friday in Abuja.
Salako said the move aligns with Nigeria’s broader shift toward greater domestic resource mobilization as global financial support continues to contract. Represented by his Special Adviser on Health System Strengthening, Dr. Babatunde Akinyemi, he noted that the government’s financial commitments in major international health initiatives have increased markedly in recent years.
According to him, Nigeria has expanded its co-financing for GAVI-supported immunization programs from $8 million in 2017 to $57 million in 2023, indicating greater national ownership of routine immunization. He added that the Federal Government now contributes about 20 per cent of the total value of Global Fund grants, more than $100 million in the current funding cycle.
He further revealed that Nigeria provides in-kind contributions worth about $150 million annually to the US PEPFAR program, including personnel, facilities and logistical support. The recently announced $200 million emergency allocation, he said, is part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the US government’s recent suspension of funding for PEPFAR and other donor-supported health programs.
“These actions demonstrate Nigeria’s willingness to take greater responsibility for maintaining essential health services and ensuring continuity of care for vulnerable populations,” he said.
Salako emphasized that efficiency, transparency and performance-based financing would remain critical to strengthening procurement systems, reducing leakage and ensuring that pooled procurement offers better value for money.
“We are also exploring social impact bonds and blended financing to safeguard essential services while increasing domestic investment,” he added.
He also underscored the critical role of health journalists and said accurate reporting on funding flows and program performance is essential for accountability and public trust.
Chairman, FCT Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Grace Ike, said Nigeria can no longer rely on reducing foreign subsidies to protect citizens, particularly in HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio eradication, maternal health and emergency response. Represented by the Secretary of the Council, Mr Jide Oyekunle, she called for stronger health budgets, mandatory health insurance coverage and greater private sector participation.
“Nigeria’s health future cannot depend on forces beyond our control. We must build a resilient, equitable and self-sustaining health system, funded by Nigerians and designed for Nigerians,” he said.
He urged journalists to act as “custodians of accountability” by tracking health spending, educating citizens about domestic financing and highlighting affected communities.
ANHeJ President Joseph Kadiri has warned that the global decline in foreign aid has exposed structural gaps in Nigeria’s health financing system. He highlighted the fundamental role of journalists in formulating policies, promoting sustainable health financing and holding institutions accountable.
Representatives of development partners, including Save the Children, IHVN and NAFDAC, reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s transition towards greater domestic resource mobilization.