Health Ministry Received Only ₦36m of ₦218bn Capital Budget — Pate

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Pate, says the Federal Ministry of Health received only ₦36 million out of the ₦218 billion approved for its 2025 capital expenditure.

Pate disclosed this on Monday, during the Ministry’s 2026 budget defence before the House Committee on Healthcare Services.

He described the situation as a major constraint on the sector’s reform agenda, that has made it impossible to implement key health projects.

According to the Minister, while the personnel budget was released and fully utilised, the capital component suffered near-total non-release, largely due to the bottom-up cash planning system operated by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He warned that the funding gap is not only affecting infrastructure and equipment projects but also weakening Nigeria’s ability to access counterpart funding, as delays in releasing government contributions have stalled several donor-supported health programmes.

Pate told lawmakers that the Ministry’s operations remain guided by national development frameworks, including Vision 20:2020, the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2021–2025, and the National Strategic Health Development Plan, aimed at strengthening the healthcare system.

He affirmed that the National Health Policy 2016 and the National Health Act are central to achieving Universal Health Coverage through a revitalised primary healthcare system.

The Minister explained that the 2026 budget proposal was prepared using the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System in line with national priorities and federal execution plans under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Amos Gwamna-Magaji, directed the Minister to submit comprehensive records of donor funds received by the Ministry and details of their utilisation, as lawmakers intensified scrutiny of health sector financing.