Posted on: Thu 12-03-2026

The Federal Government has reported significant improvements in maternal, newborn and child health outcomes in 2025, with skilled birth attendance rising to 86.3 per cent and facility-based maternal deaths dropping from 904 to 460 nationwide.

The figures are contained in the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which attributed the gains to expanded access to skilled care, stronger referral systems and the scale-up of emergency obstetric services across the country.

According to the report, the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care was expanded nationwide in 2025, with more than 20,000 women receiving specialised emergency maternal care. A total of 242 health facilities were empanelled across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while neonatal CEmONC services were introduced in selected centres.

The assessment, conducted in line with the provisions of the National Health Act, provides a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s health system performance and tracks progress under the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, implemented through a sector-wide approach coordinated by the ministry.

The report described 2025 as a turning point in Nigeria’s health reform agenda, marked by strengthened governance, revitalised primary healthcare, improved health security preparedness and measurable gains in maternal and child health indicators.

Population pressure, inequities persist

Despite the progress, the report noted that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population continues to put pressure on health services. It observed that although healthcare utilisation increased in 2025, disparities remain across geography, income levels, gender, disability status and age groups.

Vulnerable populations — including women, children, adolescents, persons with disabilities and the elderly — were said to remain disproportionately affected by preventable illnesses and deaths.

Emergency response systems supported 26,431 obstetric emergencies through the SEMSAS and 34,331 women and newborns through RESMAT across 124 MAMII local government areas.

Immunisation, HIV response, cancer care improve

The report showed that Penta-3 immunisation coverage reached more than 2.12 million children in 2025. However, only about 20 per cent of children are fully immunised, while nearly 30 per cent remain zero-dose, indicating persistent inequities in vaccine coverage.

Nigeria’s response to HIV/AIDS also recorded strong performance, with treatment coverage above 87 per cent and viral suppression exceeding 95 per cent, contributing to continued reductions in new infections.

Improvements were also recorded in cancer care, with expanded diagnostic capacity, increased availability of therapeutics and the establishment of additional treatment centres across geopolitical zones following increased policy attention and targeted investments.

Primary healthcare drives service delivery

Primary healthcare facilities remained the backbone of service delivery in 2025, with utilisation rising sharply from 15.1 million visits in 2024 to 170.8 million visits in 2025.

The report linked the increase to reforms under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, expansion of the health workforce, facility upgrades and strengthened emergency referral systems.

Through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, about 1,965 primary healthcare centres achieved Level-2 functionality, enabling 24-hour service delivery and safer childbirth.

Health workforce development also accelerated, with 23,000 frontline workers trained in 2025, bringing the total trained between 2024 and 2025 to 78,146 — about 65 per cent of the national target of 120,000 workers.

Insurance coverage rises but below target

The report noted that BHCPF 2.0, launched in October 2025, introduced operational reforms and enrolled about 2.7 million Nigerians by year-end.

Health insurance coverage increased from 19.2 million people in 2024 to 21.7 million in 2025, representing a 13 per cent rise, largely driven by state social health insurance agencies and enrolment through the BHCPF gateway.

However, the report warned that coverage remains below national targets for universal health coverage and highlighted concerns over the sustainability of donor funding, calling for stronger domestic resource mobilisation.

Ministers speak on reforms

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the report provides a broad overview of the health sector’s performance using data from all states and the FCT.

According to him, the review examined budgetary allocations, fund releases, insurance coverage and the outcomes of major public health programmes.

“The year under review is not without challenges, but the government remains committed to prioritising healthcare,” he said, adding that efforts are ongoing to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing and remove import duties on essential medicines to reduce costs.

Minister of State for Health, Adekunle Salako, said ongoing reforms have improved transparency and accountability in the system.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom, attributed the progress to strong leadership and collaboration between the ministry, the National Council on Health, state commissioners for health and development partners working to expand equitable and affordable healthcare services nationwide.

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