Posted on: Thu 01-05-2025

For years, Nigerians have echoed the adage “health is wealth”—a truth often undermined by crumbling hospitals, overworked health workers, and inaccessible care in rural communities. But under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there are growing signs that Nigeria may finally be walking the talk.

The administration’s healthcare reforms are more than just policy documents or campaign promises. What we are witnessing is an ambitious, multi-layered drive to rebuild trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system—from the ground up. And if sustained, these reforms could be the difference between an ailing system and a thriving one.

Let’s begin with infrastructure—an area that has long symbolised the system’s neglect. The recent upgrade of the General Hospital in Kumo, Gombe State, into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) is more than a regional boost. It’s a strategic move to improve access to tertiary care in the underserved Northeast. Notably, this facility will also serve as a teaching hospital, helping cultivate future doctors at nearby universities. This is what smart policy looks like: solving today's problems while building tomorrow's workforce.

Equally commendable is the plan to double Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs)—from 8,809 to 17,600 by 2027. That’s not just a numbers game; it’s about putting care within reach of every Nigerian, especially those in remote communities. And with improved Direct Facility Funding (from N300,000 to up to N800,000 quarterly), PHCs can actually function, not just exist in name.

But President Tinubu knows infrastructure is only half the battle. The health sector bleeds talent daily, so human resource development is a non-negotiable priority. The administration’s decision to train 120,000 frontline workers in just 16 months, of which over 40,000 have already been trained, shows a sense of urgency that the sector desperately needs.

Even more forward-thinking is the introduction of 774 National Health Fellows—one for each local government area—and the redesign of the community health programme to create 126,000 new jobs. This is about creating a pipeline of future health leaders and building a resilient system from the grassroots.

Add to that the increase in enrolment capacity for nursing and midwifery schools, and it’s clear: this administration is not just treating symptoms—it’s investing in a cure.

Efficiency, long the Achilles heel of Nigerian public services, is also being tackled head-on. Through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and a digitalisation agenda led by the NPHCDA, the country is modernising everything from supply chains to financial tracking. These aren’t flashy reforms, but they’re vital for sustainability, accountability, and results.

Then there’s the boldness in confronting public health crises. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has declared tuberculosis a health emergency—a much-needed declaration in a country that still sees tens of thousands of TB cases annually. Her Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment of N1 billion is a clear sign of political will finally aligning with public health needs.

Meanwhile, the nationwide rollout of HPV vaccination, with over 12 million girls vaccinated, is the kind of forward-looking policy that protects not just lives but futures. Preventive care, long neglected, is now getting the attention it deserves.

And this isn't just local noise—the international community is listening. The World Bank’s recent S1.57 billion investment in Nigeria’s health sector shows that the global community believes in what this administration is doing. That’s not just financial support—it’s validation.

But let’s not get carried away. Nigeria’s healthcare crisis wasn’t built in a day, and it won’t be fixed in one term. Implementation, transparency, and sustained political will are still make-or-break factors. However, for the first time in a long time, there is a cohesive, practical plan backed by visible action.

President Tinubu’s health agenda isn’t just technocratic—it’s personal. It says, “We see you. We hear your cries. And we’re acting.” That’s the kind of leadership healthcare in Nigeria has been waiting for.

If fully realised, these reforms could mean that a woman in rural Zamfara won’t have to travel 100 kilometres to give birth safely. That a child in Ebonyi can receive vaccines without delay. That a young nurse in Lagos sees a future in her own country, not just a visa application abroad.

In short, Nigeria may finally be turning a corner toward a healthier, more equitable future. It’s not just a hope—it’s a plan in motion.

---

---