Tinubu reels out administration’s health sector gains

President Bola Tinubu has highlighted what he described as major milestones recorded by his administration in Nigeria’s health sector, saying ongoing reforms are expanding access to healthcare, strengthening the workforce and improving health outcomes across the country.

Tinubu, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, said every Nigerian deserves access to quality healthcare regardless of where they live or their income level.

He said that since assuming office, his administration, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, had embarked on one of the most ambitious healthcare reforms in decades.

“Every Nigerian deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or what they earn.

Since assuming office, our administration, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has embarked on one of the most ambitious and comprehensive transformations of our health sector in decades.

“We are revitalising Primary Healthcare Centres, expanding health insurance, protecting millions of children through immunisation, strengthening our health workforce, upgrading specialist hospitals, improving maternal and child health, and positioning Nigeria to become a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare investment,” he wrote.

The President said the impact of the reforms was already becoming evident.

The progress is becoming evident: six million more Nigerians added to health insurance; 4,161 Primary Healthcare Centres under revitalisation, with 3,158 already completed; 14,283 PHCs, representing more than half of all PHCs in Nigeria, are now functional.

“More than 102 million children vaccinated against Measles-Rubella, and 17.1 million girls protected against cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine.

“Seventy-eight thousand and fifty-four frontline health workers trained, and 20,000 health professionals recruited into our Federal Tertiary Hospitals.

“Five hundred and three health infrastructure projects delivered nationwide, alongside the development of three world-class cancer centres,” Tinubu stated.

According to him, the reforms are aimed at saving lives while building a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for future generations.

“These reforms are about saving lives today while building a stronger, more resilient health system for generations to come.

The Nigeria Health Sector Impact Report below highlights some of the major milestones recorded so far under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

“I encourage you to read it. A healthier Nigeria is central to our Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are building a healthier, stronger and more prosperous nation, one reform, one community and one life at a time.

“Our work continues. The best days of Nigerian healthcare are still ahead of us,” the President added.

Backing the President’s claims, the Presidency also released a detailed healthcare impact report on X, highlighting improvements recorded under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative since its launch in December 2023.

According to the data, “maternal mortality reduced by 17 per cent in 2025 compared to 2023 across the 172 MAMII LGAs, while newborn mortality reduced by 10 per cent over the same period.”

The report also stated that “more than 40,000 women received free Caesarean Sections reimbursed through the National Health Insurance Authority between 2024 and 2026, while more than 4,000 women received free Vesico-Vaginal Fistula repairs through Federal Government support.”

On primary healthcare, the Presidency said “revitalisation commenced in 4,161 Primary Healthcare Centres, with 3,158 completed, 1,002 ongoing and one yet to commence, while 14,283 PHCs, representing 53 per cent of Nigeria’s 27,003 PHCs, are now functional

The report further noted that “more than 102 million children aged nine months to 14 years have been vaccinated against Measles-Rubella, 17,146,987 adolescent girls protected through HPV vaccination, more than 174 million polio vaccinations delivered, 18.3 million diphtheria vaccinations administered, and more than 39,000 people vaccinated against Mpox across 12 states, making Nigeria the first African country to deploy the vaccine.”

On health workforce development, it said “78,054 frontline health workers have been trained towards the 120,000 four-year target, while 20,000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and midwives, have been recruited into Federal Tertiary Hospitals between 2024 and 2026.”

The Presidency added that “503 health infrastructure projects have been implemented nationwide, 20 Federal Tertiary Hospitals upgraded or expanded, three new world-class cancer centres are under development, while the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment has been established.”

It also highlighted investments in Nigeria’s healthcare economy, saying “47 companies are already benefiting from the Presidential Executive Order signed to promote medical industrialisation, ₦26 billion in concessions have been granted, while financing has been mobilised to support more than 90 projects within a $5 billion healthcare investment pipeline.”

The report said the reforms were designed to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve health outcomes and position Nigeria as a major hub for healthcare investment and pharmaceutical manufacturing.