Tinubu Administration Expands Health Insurance to 23 Million Nigerians, Revitalises 3,526 PHCs
The Federal Government has expanded health insurance coverage to more than 23 million Nigerians and revitalised 3,526 primary healthcare centres as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the developments while briefing the President on progress recorded in maternal and newborn health, primary healthcare, immunisation, specialist medical services and domestic production of essential health products.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the achievements are part of the implementation of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and improve access to affordable and quality medical services.
The initiative is anchored on the December 2023 Health Sector Renewal Compact with state governments and was expanded in 2025 to bring local governments, private sector operators, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders into the reform process.
Maternal Health Interventions Reduce Fatalities
One of the major areas of progress is maternal and newborn healthcare, particularly in communities with high maternal mortality rates.
Under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), the government has focused interventions on 172 local government areas across the country.
Figures released by the ministry indicate that case fatality in participating maternal health facilities declined by 22 per cent between 2024 and August 2026.
The initiative also linked approximately 750,000 women to antenatal care in the targeted local government areas within the preceding year.
In addition, the National Health Insurance Authority reached more than 93,000 women and newborns by August 2026 through programmes covering emergency maternal and newborn care, as well as fistula treatment.
3,526 Primary Healthcare Centres Revitalised
The government also reported improvements in primary healthcare infrastructure, with 3,526 centres revitalised and 14,107 functional clinics currently counted nationwide.
Approximately ₦249.5 billion was disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and to primary healthcare centres between 2023 and September 2026.
Health insurance enrolment also increased from approximately 16 million people at the beginning of the Tinubu administration to more than 23 million by September 2026.
Of the total, 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians benefited from subsidised health insurance coverage through the Fund.
The ministry said the expansion was part of broader efforts to reduce financial barriers to healthcare and move the country closer to universal health coverage.
103 Million Children Reached Through Vaccination Campaign
Nigeria has also recorded progress in immunisation and preventive healthcare.
The country’s measles and rubella vaccination campaign had reached approximately 103 million children by May 2026, while more than 18 million girls aged nine to 14 had received the HPV vaccine.
The government has also invested in specialist medical services to improve access to cancer treatment and other advanced healthcare interventions.
Three cancer treatment centres located in Katsina, Benin and Enugu have been completed and commissioned in partnership with NSIA MedServe.
The administration further reported the completion of 10 diagnostic and specialist centres in October 2026, alongside investments in eye care, dialysis subsidies and the rehabilitation and equipping of federal tertiary hospitals.
FG Commissions 10 Factories for Local Health Products
As part of efforts to strengthen local production and reduce dependence on imported medical supplies, the Federal Government has commissioned 10 factories producing priority health products, including six in 2026.
The facilities support domestic manufacturing of essential medicines, diagnostic products, mosquito nets, medical devices and oxygen.
The ministry said the Presidential Executive Order on local pharmaceutical production had provided eligible manufacturers with tax and tariff relief to encourage investment and increase domestic output.
The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain has also facilitated technology transfers, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities aimed at expanding Nigeria’s healthcare manufacturing capacity.
The government is simultaneously investing in health workforce development, nutrition, disease prevention, public health laboratories and emergency referral services.
Despite these interventions, the ministry acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly in access to healthcare, the availability of essential medicines, emergency transportation and the distribution of health workers.
It said the government would continue to collaborate with state and local governments, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders to sustain progress and address existing gaps.
The ministry maintained that the success of the reforms would ultimately be determined by their impact on Nigerians, particularly through safer childbirth, healthier children, affordable treatment and a stronger domestic health industry capable of supporting the country’s health security.
