……Pate Briefs Tinubu.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has recorded significant progress in maternal and newborn health, primary healthcare delivery, health insurance coverage, specialist medical services and local manufacturing of essential health products under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The achievements reflect the implementation of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, anchored on the December 2023 Health Sector Renewal Compact with State Governments and expanded through the 2025 addendum to include local governments, the private sector, civil society, and traditional and religious leaders.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working with stakeholders to strengthen the health system, improve access to quality and affordable healthcare, and advance universal health coverage across the country.
Under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), interventions have been concentrated in 172 local government areas with high maternal mortality burdens. According to programme figures, case fatality in participating maternal health facilities declined by 22 per cent between 2024 and August 2026, while approximately 750,000 women were linked to antenatal care in the priority areas within the preceding year.
The National Health Insurance Authority has also expanded access to emergency obstetric and newborn care, with more than 93,000 women and newborns reached by August 2026 through its emergency maternal, newborn and fistula programmes.
In primary healthcare, the Federal Government reports that 3,526 primary healthcare centres have been revitalised, with 14,107 functional clinics currently counted nationwide.
Approximately ₦249.5 billion was disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and to primary healthcare centres between 2023 and the September 2026 reporting period. Meanwhile, health insurance enrolment increased from approximately 16 million at the beginning of the administration to more than 23 million by September 2026, including 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians who received subsidised coverage through the Fund.
The government has also intensified immunisation, emergency medical response and specialist healthcare services. Nigeria’s measles and rubella vaccination campaign had reached approximately 103 million children by May 2026, while more than 18 million girls aged nine to 14 had received the HPV vaccine. In specialist care, three cancer treatment centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu have been completed and commissioned in collaboration with NSIA MedServe.
The administration has further reported the completion of 10 diagnostic and specialist centres in October 2026, alongside investments in eye care, dialysis subsidies and infrastructure and equipment upgrades across federal tertiary hospitals.
A major component of the reforms is the expansion of domestic manufacturing of essential medicines, diagnostics, mosquito nets, medical devices and oxygen. Ten factories producing priority health products have been commissioned, including six in 2026. The Presidential Executive Order on local pharmaceutical production has supported eligible manufacturers through tax and tariff relief, while the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain has facilitated technology transfers, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities.
The Federal Government is also strengthening the health workforce, disease prevention, nutrition, public health laboratories and emergency referral services to improve access, quality and resilience across the health system.
While acknowledging that gaps remain in access to healthcare, availability of essential medicines, emergency transport and health worker distribution, the Federal Government is committed to consolidating these gains through sustained investment, stronger accountability and collaboration with state and local governments, development partners and the private sector.
The Ministry maintains that the ultimate measure of success is improved health outcomes for Nigerians, including safer childbirth, healthier children, affordable treatment and a stronger domestic health industry capable of supporting national health security.
Ado Bako
Assistant Director, Information and Public.
15th October,2026
