The Federal Government has announced major gains in Nigeria’s health sector, including a 17 percent reduction in maternal deaths and a 12 percent decline in newborn mortality across 172 high-burden local government areas, ahead of the 2025 Joint Annual Health Sector Review.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this during a Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja.
He said the forthcoming review would assess national health performance, strengthen accountability, and deepen collaboration between all tiers of government under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
According to Prof. Pate, 37 out of 41 key performance indicators (KPIs) set under the presidential health reform commitments have already been achieved progress he described as “remarkable,” driven by stronger coordination between federal, state, and local governments.
“For the first time, we are seeing alignment between the federal government’s direction and the states in terms of priorities in annual operational plans,” he said. “One hundred percent of states now have operational plans aligned with the national health sector blueprint.”
Improved Service Delivery and Primary Healthcare Utilization
The minister noted that 774 National Health Fellows have been deployed across all local government areas, while 35 out of 36 states and the FCT have completed their performance reviews with active citizens’ participation.
On service delivery, Prof. Pate highlighted notable improvements in maternal and reproductive health indicators, including higher antenatal attendance, skilled birth deliveries, and increased family planning uptake.
He reported that utilization of primary healthcare facilities under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) surged from 10 million visits in early 2024 to 45 million by the second quarter of 2025, signaling renewed public trust in government health services.
“New family planning acceptors have increased by 10% since the beginning of the year, and 50% of women of reproductive age are now using modern contraceptives,” he stated.
“We have also revitalized over 435 health facilities in high-priority local governments and recruited more than 15,000 community-based health workers.”
Public Confidence and Remaining Challenges
Citing a citizens’ confidence survey, the minister revealed that 77% of Nigerians now view the health system positively, up from 54% in 2024. Similarly, confidence in the government’s capacity to manage health emergencies rose from 50% to about two-thirds of the population.
Despite these gains, Prof. Pate acknowledged persistent challenges in health financing and affordability.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he cautioned. “The issue of affordability remains a concern. Expansion of health insurance coverage and prudent resource use at all levels are critical for sustaining this progress.”
He stressed the importance of maintaining momentum, adding that consistent data-backed reforms and coordination among federal, state, and local governments could significantly improve national health outcomes.
“The fact that we can now, with two-year data, tell a story showing beginnings of improvement is encouraging. If we sustain this collaboration across all levels, the health outcomes of our population will certainly improve,” he said.
Media, Stakeholders Urged to Support Reform Agenda
Prof. Pate urged media practitioners to actively cover the 2025 Joint Annual Review, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.”
The event will feature spotlight sessions on maternal mortality reduction (MAMI), health governance, local manufacturing of life sciences products, and health expenditure reviews.
“The signs of progress are real and data-backed,” the minister emphasized. “If we sustain this momentum, Nigeria’s health outcomes will not only improve but become a model for the continent.”