FG Seeks Stronger Public-Private Partnerships To Boost Healthcare Financing

The Federal Government has called for stronger public-private partnerships to unlock sustainable healthcare financing, expand local manufacturing and improve access to quality healthcare across Nigeria.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call at the opening of the FCMB Healthcare Summit 2026 in Lagos, saying ongoing reforms have created an enabling environment for greater private sector investment in the health sector.

He said initiatives under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) are providing policy certainty and creating new investment opportunities.

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“Government cannot build Nigeria’s healthcare future on public financing alone, and the private sector cannot do so without the policy certainty, risk-sharing instruments and guaranteed demand that only government can provide,” Salako said.

The minister disclosed that of the ₦339 billion disbursed through the BHCPF since its inception, ₦235 billion has been released in the last three years under the current administration.

He added that the latest disbursement of ₦32.9 billion is supporting more than 8,300 primary healthcare centres nationwide.

Salako also said health insurance enrolment has risen to over 22 million Nigerians through the implementation of the NHIA Act, as the government seeks to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending and expand financial protection.

On local production, he said the PVAC is accelerating the manufacture of medicines, diagnostics and medical devices through targeted incentives, procurement reforms and improved access to long-term financing, while complementary initiatives such as Medipool are boosting market confidence.

The minister welcomed the launch of the FCMB Dedicated Healthcare Fund, describing it as an important step towards mobilising private capital for healthcare delivery and local manufacturing.

He urged investors and healthcare providers to strengthen corporate governance, adopt blended financing models and invest in initiatives that promote universal health coverage, local manufacturing and resilient health systems.

Salako reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing reforms that will strengthen healthcare financing, expand domestic pharmaceutical production and improve health outcomes for Nigerians.