FG calls for stronger public-private partnerships to strengthen healthcare financing
The Federal Government has called for stronger public-private partnerships to unlock sustainable healthcare financing, accelerate local manufacturing and improve access to quality healthcare for Nigerians.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the FCMB Healthcare Summit 2026 in Lagos, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said ongoing reforms have created an enabling environment for investment across Nigeria’s health sector, while urging financial institutions, investors and healthcare providers to partner with government in accelerating the transformation of the nation’s healthcare system.
The Minister said reforms under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) are creating greater policy certainty and unlocking new opportunities for private investment. Emphasising the importance of public-private collaboration, Dr. Salako said, “Government cannot build Nigeria’s healthcare future on public financing alone, and the private sector cannot do so without the policy certainty, risk-sharing instruments and guaranteed demand that only government can provide.”
Of the ₦339 billion disbursed through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund since inception, ₦235 billion has been released over the last three years under the current administration, with the most recent tranche of ₦32.9 billion currently supporting more than 8,300 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide as government expands access to quality primary healthcare services. Health insurance enrolment has grown to over 22 million Nigerians, Dr. Salako noted, reflecting the continued implementation of the NHIA Act and the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure through expanded financial protection and mandatory health insurance coverage. On domestic production, the Minister said initiatives under PVAC are accelerating local manufacturing of medicines, diagnostics and medical devices through targeted incentives, strategic procurement reforms and improved access to long-term financing. He added that complementary reforms, including Medipool, are strengthening market confidence and creating a more enabling environment for local manufacturers.
Dr. Salako welcomed the launch of the FCMB Dedicated Healthcare Fund, describing it as a significant contribution to mobilising private capital for healthcare delivery and local manufacturing, while complementing existing financing initiatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry and other development finance institutions. He urged investors and healthcare providers to strengthen corporate governance, leverage blended financing models, and prioritise investments that support universal health coverage, local manufacturing and resilient health systems.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare financing through sustained reforms and strategic public-private partnerships, Dr. Salako said the Ministry will continue to implement policies that strengthen healthcare financing, expand local manufacturing and build a resilient health system that delivers better health outcomes for all Nigerians.