President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has highlighted what he described as major achievements recorded by his administration in Nigeria’s health sector, saying ongoing reforms are improving access to quality healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce and reducing maternal and child deaths.
The President said his administration remains committed to building a stronger healthcare system that will serve Nigerians regardless of their location or income, adding that the reforms introduced since he assumed office are already producing measurable results across the country.
Tinubu made the remarks in a post on his official X handle on Wednesday, where he outlined several milestones recorded under the Federal Government’s health sector reform programme.
According to him, the reforms, being implemented through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, represent one of the most comprehensive healthcare transformation programmes undertaken in Nigeria in decades.
“Every Nigerian deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or what they earn,” the President stated.
He said his administration has focused on revitalising Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), expanding access to health insurance, improving maternal and child healthcare, strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce, upgrading specialist hospitals and positioning Nigeria as a major destination for pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare investment.
Tinubu noted that improving healthcare remains one of the pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that a healthy population is essential for national development and economic growth.
According to him, the reforms are aimed not only at addressing immediate healthcare challenges but also at building a resilient health system capable of meeting the needs of future generations.
The President said the impact of the government’s interventions is already becoming visible in many parts of the country.
He disclosed that six million additional Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme, significantly increasing access to affordable healthcare services.
He also revealed that work has commenced on the revitalisation of 4,161 Primary Healthcare Centres across Nigeria, with 3,158 projects already completed.
According to him, 14,283 Primary Healthcare Centres are now fully functional, representing more than half of the country’s estimated 27,000 PHCs.
Primary Healthcare Centres serve as the first point of medical care for millions of Nigerians, especially those living in rural communities. Many of these facilities have suffered years of neglect due to poor funding, inadequate equipment and shortage of healthcare workers.
Successive governments have identified the revitalisation of PHCs as one of the most effective ways of reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals while improving access to healthcare at the grassroots.
According to him, more than 102 million Nigerian children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella, while over 17 million adolescent girls have received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria. Health experts have consistently advocated widespread HPV vaccination as one of the most effective methods of preventing the disease.
The President further stated that over 78,000 frontline health workers have been trained under the ongoing reforms, while 20,000 healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and midwives—have been recruited into Federal Government tertiary hospitals between 2024 and 2026.
Nigeria has for years struggled with shortages of healthcare workers due to migration, commonly referred to as the “Japa” phenomenon, with many doctors and nurses leaving the country in search of better working conditions and higher salaries abroad.
The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that improving working conditions, training more professionals and recruiting additional personnel are critical to addressing manpower shortages in the health sector.
These include the upgrade and expansion of 20 Federal Government tertiary hospitals as well as the ongoing construction of three world-class cancer treatment centres.
The President said these investments are expected to improve access to specialised medical care and reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for treatment.
Backing the President’s claims, the Presidency also released a detailed Nigeria Health Sector Impact Report, highlighting progress made under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative launched in December 2023.
According to the report, maternal mortality declined by 17 per cent in 2025 compared to 2023 across the 172 local government areas participating in the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
The report also showed that newborn deaths dropped by 10 per cent during the same period.
Maternal mortality has remained one of Nigeria’s biggest public health challenges. The country accounts for one of the highest numbers of maternal deaths globally, with poor access to skilled birth attendants, inadequate medical facilities and delays in accessing emergency obstetric care identified as major causes.
The Presidency said more than 40,000 women have benefited from free Caesarean Sections funded through reimbursements by the National Health Insurance Authority between 2024 and 2026.
It added that over 4,000 women also received free surgeries for Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a childbirth-related condition that affects thousands of women, particularly in northern Nigeria.
On immunisation, the report stated that more than 174 million polio vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, while over 18 million people have received diphtheria vaccinations.
It further disclosed that more than 39,000 Nigerians have been vaccinated against Mpox in 12 states, making Nigeria the first African country to deploy the vaccine on such a scale.
The report also highlighted investments aimed at boosting Nigeria’s healthcare economy.
According to the Presidency, 47 companies are already benefiting from the Presidential Executive Order designed to encourage local pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical industrialisation.
It said government concessions worth about ₦26 billion have been granted to investors, while financing has been mobilised for more than 90 healthcare projects within a $5 billion investment pipeline.
The Presidency added that the reforms are expected to strengthen local production of medicines and medical equipment, reduce dependence on imports and create new jobs across the healthcare value chain.
Tinubu said the reforms are not only about improving healthcare delivery today but also about laying a solid foundation for future generations.
He encouraged Nigerians to study the Nigeria Health Sector Impact Report and follow the progress of the government’s healthcare initiatives.
According to the President, the health sector remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that his administration will continue investing in hospitals, healthcare workers, disease prevention, medical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“We are building a healthier, stronger and more prosperous nation, one reform, one community and one life at a time,” Tinubu said.
He expressed confidence that despite existing challenges, Nigeria’s healthcare system is on the path to sustained improvement, insisting that the country’s best days in healthcare are still ahead.