2026 Budget Defence: Reps Commend Health Ministry, Urge Timely Release of BHCPF
Abuja (Core Reporters) The House of Representatives has commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its performance, particularly on the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), while calling for the timely release of funds to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the country.
The commendation came on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of the Ministry’s 2026 Headquarters Budget Proposal to the Joint House Committees on Health Services.
Presenting the budget, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate CON, said the Ministry proposed a total estimate of ₦224.36 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to him, the breakdown includes ₦186.72 billion for capital budget ceilings, ₦10.36 billion for personnel cost, ₦25.89 billion for multilateral and bilateral loans, and ₦1.59 billion for overhead costs.
Prof. Pate stressed that effective service delivery depends more on the prompt release of funds than budgetary allocations, expressing confidence that improved coordination among relevant government institutions would enhance liquidity and fund execution.
“It’s not the allocation; it’s about the releases. If the resources are made available, the ministry and my colleagues are ready to execute efficiently,” he said.
The Coordinating Minister also disclosed that Nigeria will host two major international health-related events in 2026 — the Fifth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) scheduled for June 29–30, and the Commonwealth Meeting on Nursing. He noted that the AMR meeting, expected to attract about 170 ministers and high-level global officials, will be the first of its kind to be hosted in Africa, necessitating an additional provision of about ₦2 billion.
On the 2025 budget performance, Prof. Pate reported a 100 per cent utilisation of personnel costs, executed through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He added that out of the ₦1.5 billion overhead allocation for 2025, ₦832.28 million was released between January and October, with 99.8 per cent utilisation recorded.
However, he noted that capital releases for 2025 were yet to be utilised due to the bottom-up cash plan policy of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, describing the situation as unusual. Despite this, he highlighted achievements recorded through key intervention programmes such as the Presidential Vaccine Taskforce (PVAC), Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and the BHCPF.
In his response, Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Rt. Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, praised the Ministry’s implementation of the BHCPF, describing it as a lifeline for improving health outcomes at the grassroots.
“If we truly want to provide healthcare for our people, it starts from primary healthcare. We may not be where we ought to be yet, but many states and local governments have risen to the challenge,” Magaji said.
The House, however, urged the Ministry to work with relevant authorities to shorten delays in the release of BHCPF funds, and requested the designation of a liaison officer to improve communication on intervention programmes.
Rt. Honourable Magaji further assured that the committee would scrutinise the budget proposal with a view to approving it, while noting concerns that the Ministry’s budget growth does not adequately reflect Nigeria’s rising population. He added that the committee would invite the Minister for clarification or adjustment where necessary.
The Coordinating Minister was accompanied to the budget defence by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom mni, and Directors/Heads of Departments of the Ministry.
