Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has blamed delays in federal fund releases for the poor implementation of his ministry’s 2025 capital projects.
Speaking on Monday during the 2026 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Pate revealed that while personnel costs were fully funded and utilised, capital expenditure faced severe setbacks.
According to the minister, the ministry received just N36 million of the N218 billion approved for capital projects in 2025, leaving most planned infrastructure and health programmes unimplemented.
Pate explained that delays in meeting counterpart funding obligations also hindered access to some external support under joint financing arrangements, further constraining project execution.
“The principles of universal health coverage are central to the national health policy objective of strengthening Nigeria’s health system,” Pate said.
“Our focus remains on primary health care to deliver quality, accessible, and affordable services to all Nigerians.”
He noted that the health ministry’s programmes are guided by long-term frameworks, including Vision 20:2020, the National Development Plan 2021–2025, and the National Strategic Health
Development Plan II, all aimed at improving access to healthcare across the country.
Pate also assured lawmakers that the 2026 budget proposal was prepared in line with the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure
Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper, with allocations aligned to national priorities through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System.
The minister emphasised that the National Health Act 2014 and the 1999 Constitution underscore the government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare, while the National Health Policy 2016 continues to guide accelerated implementation of health sector reforms.
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