ABUJA — The Federal Government has disbursed N32.8 billion to strengthen primary healthcare services across Nigeria under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. Channels Television confirmed the disbursement on Monday, describing it as the latest tranche released to support community-level health service delivery in all 36 states and the FCT.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency said the funds will support a range of services including maternal and child health, immunisation programs, disease surveillance, and essential medicines supply at community health centres. NPHCDA Executive Director Dr Muyi Aina said the disbursement reflects the government’s commitment to building a functional primary health care foundation.
Primary healthcare in Nigeria has historically been one of the most underfunded and underperforming levels of the health system. A large proportion of health facilities at the community level lack reliable electricity, running water, essential diagnostic equipment, and adequately trained personnel. The BHCPF was created specifically to address chronic underfunding of this critical entry point into the health system.
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Where the Money Goes
The N32.8 billion will be channelled through state primary health care boards and local government health authorities, who are responsible for facility management and personnel at the community level. Governance advocates have previously raised concerns about leakage and mismanagement in the disbursement chain, calling for strengthened audit mechanisms to ensure funds reach intended facilities.
The disbursement comes alongside the government’s broader push to expand health technology through the National Health Technology Office, which is expected to introduce electronic tracking of health fund deployment over time, potentially improving accountability for future tranches.
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Residents’ Expectations
In communities across Nigeria, residents said they hope this disbursement translates into visible improvements at their local health centres. Many said previous government health funding announcements had not produced tangible changes at the facility level. Health monitoring groups said they will track implementation of this round carefully and publish findings on whether the N32.8 billion reaches the communities it is intended to serve.
