Posted on: Fri 13-11-2026

 

The Federal Government has pledged fresh reforms to address persistent shortages of healthcare personnel, inadequate funding and weaknesses in service delivery, as concerns emerge over accountability in the management of S4.6 billion in international health grants received by Nigeria.

The commitments were made at the 2026 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja, where government officials and health sector stakeholders identified critical gaps affecting healthcare delivery and outlined measures to strengthen the country's health system.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders identified inadequate human resources as one of the most pressing challenges confronting the health sector. They observed that existing health training institutions were struggling to produce enough qualified personnel to meet national demand, with rural and underserved communities experiencing particularly severe shortages.

Participants also expressed concern over competency gaps among certain categories of health professionals, emphasising the need to strengthen professional training, certification, workforce deployment and supportive supervision.

To address these challenges, stakeholders resolved to operationalise the National Human Resources for Health Programme through the establishment of a dedicated management structure, implementation of strategic work plans and development of state-level workforce retention strategies.

They further recommended targeted incentives to encourage healthcare professionals to accept postings and remain in rural and underserved communities.

Progress in maternal and child healthcare

Despite the challenges, the review acknowledged improvements in several areas, including primary healthcare delivery, maternal and child health services, emergency medical services and health insurance coverage.

Findings from the 2026 Mini Demographic and Health Survey, presented at the meeting, reportedly indicated improvements in several maternal and child health indicators, particularly attendance at skilled antenatal care and skilled birth services.

The communiqué also highlighted reductions in facility-based maternal mortality, attributing some of the progress to family planning interventions and free Caesarean Section services supported through national health insurance mechanisms.

Stakeholders nevertheless stressed the need to sustain these gains through improved financing, equitable workforce distribution and stronger institutional accountability.

Reps uncover accountability gaps in S4.6bn health grants

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has raised concerns over financial accountability, legislative oversight and implementation weaknesses in the management of S4.6 billion in international health grants received by Nigeria between 2021 and 2025.

The funding comprised S2.8 billion from the Global Fund (GF) and S1.8 billion from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The grants support national interventions targeting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, alongside broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system.

The findings were contained in a nine-page investigative report adopted by the House Committee on Infectious Diseases.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, presided over the Committee of the Whole, which considered the committee's recommendations clause by clause before adopting the report.

Among the major concerns identified was the failure of Principal Recipients and Sub-Recipients to submit annual implementation plans to the National Assembly for review and approval before commencing grant-funded activities.

The committee also found that implementing partners had failed to submit quarterly programme and financial reports to the legislature. According to the report, the omissions limited lawmakers' capacity to monitor expenditure, assess programme performance and evaluate the outcomes of donor-funded interventions.

The lawmakers further criticised the exclusion of the National Assembly from Nigeria's Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), arguing that the arrangement left elected representatives outside critical decisions concerning the allocation and utilisation of substantial international health resources.

Procurement, counterpart funding under scrutiny

Beyond weaknesses in legislative oversight, the committee identified delays in counterpart funding obligations and procurement-related concerns as additional challenges affecting the implementation of donor-supported health programmes.

The report also raised concerns over the alleged diversion of insecticide-treated mosquito nets after distribution, highlighting weaknesses in the monitoring and accountability mechanisms governing the delivery of essential public health commodities.

The findings have renewed attention on the need for stronger financial controls, transparent procurement processes and effective monitoring of international health interventions.

The Federal Government's proposed health sector reforms and the National Assembly's findings collectively underscore two critical priorities for Nigeria: strengthening the capacity of the healthcare workforce and ensuring that available financial resources translate into measurable improvements in healthcare delivery.

As the country continues to depend on domestic and international funding to address major public health challenges, effective coordination, transparent financial management and institutional accountability will remain essential to achieving sustainable improvements in the health sector.

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