Nigeria 2025 Health Budget Allocation: New Figures, Priorities & What it Holds for You
Find Nigeria’s 2025 budget for health with correct, latest figures. Understand how ₦2.48 trillion is to be used, where it is falling short, and how it is changing healthcare service delivery.
Highlights of the Nigerian Health Budget for 2025
In December 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted the 2025 budget of the nation to the National Assembly. Initially, ₦2.17 trillion was allocated to the health sector. By virtue of legislative amendments, the approved figure was increased to ₦2.48 trillion after the Senate's ₦300 billion increase.
This allocation now represents 5.18% of the ₦47.9 trillion total national budget.
Budget Performance vs. Abuja Declaration
Though ₦2.48 trillion is a record nominal health budget for Nigeria, it is still below the 2001 Abuja Declaration target of 15% for boosting funding for African Union member states' healthcare.
- 2023 – 880 billion – 4.9%
- 2024 – 1.23 trillion – 5.7%
- 2025 – 2.48 trillion – 5.18%
The percentage decline in 2025, in spite of increased numbers, is due to the larger total budget and naira devaluation, which reduces the purchasing strength of healthcare investments.
Key Allocations Within the ₦2.48 Trillion Health Budget
₦402 Billion – Healthcare Infrastructure
- Renovation of teaching hospitals
- Purchase of diagnostic and surgical equipment
- Construction of New Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs)
₦282.65 Billion – Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)
- Funding PHCs nationwide
- Maternal and child health programs
- Routine immunization and free basic drugs
Comparing 2025 to Past Years
Though 2025's ₦2.48 trillion is a striking increase over ₦1.23 trillion in 2024, analysts warn that such growth may not reflect real progress due to inflation and currency devaluation.
Moreover, the continued low share of health spending in the national budget raises concerns about how much priority the government gives to healthcare in practice.
Issues in Health Financing in Nigeria
- Underutilization of funds due to bureaucratic delays
- Over 70% of total health spending comes from citizens' out-of-pocket payments
- Brain drain: Doctors and nurses continue to leave due to poor pay and work conditions
- Fragmented funding across federal, state, and local governments
What 2025 Health Budget Targets to Accomplish
Despite the challenges, the 2025 budget outlines key goals:
- Revitalize rural Primary Health Centers (PHCs)
- Improve access to free or affordable maternal and child healthcare
- Expand NHIA health insurance coverage
- Boost response to disease outbreaks such as cholera and Lassa fever
Questions People Asked Often
What is the health budget of Nigeria for 2025?
₦2.48 trillion was allocated to the health sector, making up 5.18% of the ₦47.9 trillion total budget.
What is the Abuja Declaration and how is Nigeria faring?
The Abuja Declaration recommends 15% of national budgets be spent on health. Nigeria's allocation remains below this goal.
What are the major priorities of the 2025 health budget?
Primary healthcare, infrastructure upgrades, insurance expansion, maternal and child health, and epidemic preparedness.
How does the 2025 budget compare to 2024?
It increased from ₦1.23 trillion to ₦2.48 trillion—more than double. However, it dropped slightly in percentage of the total budget.
Where does most of Nigeria’s healthcare funding come from?
Despite government allocations, most healthcare costs are still paid by individuals directly.
Is this budget enough to transform Nigeria’s health sector?
Not yet. Experts say Nigeria needs to allocate at least 10–15% of its budget to health for meaningful change.
References
Office of the Federation Budget – 2025 Summary
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Budget Office of the Federation
UNICEF Nigeria – Healthcare Programs
World Health Organization – Abuja Declaration