Nigeria’s health sector has been allocated N2.1 trillion in the 2026 Federal Budget, yet the level of funding remains significantly below the target set by African leaders under the 2001 Abuja Declaration. The health allocation, though higher in absolute terms than budgets in previous years, still accounts for a small proportion of the total federal expenditure. In the proposed 2026 budget, the sector’s share is estimated at around 4.2 to 4.3 per cent of total spending, far below the agreed benchmark. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, acknowledged efforts to increase the share of health funding. Health financing advocates have argued that sustained underfunding undermines the capacity of the health system to meet rising demands.

Source: The Guardian January 11, 2026 14:10 UTC