Akpabio: Nigeria’s Health Sector Funding Still Falls Short of Global Commitments

By Iyojo Ameh

President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that current funding for the health sector remains significantly below the commitments the National Assembly has made at both continental and global levels.

He made the comment at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) in Abuja on Monday.

Reports indicated that the hearing focused on five bills, including the Sickle Cell Disorder Research and Therapy Centres (Establishment) Bill sponsored by Sen. Sunday Katung (Kaduna South); the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill sponsored by Sen. Ipalibo Banigo (Rivers West), which seeks to increase health sector funding; and the Orthopaedic Hospital Establishment Bill for Kogi State, sponsored by Sen. Isa Jibrin (Kogi East).

Also presented were two bills seeking the establishment of National Eye Care Centres in Plateau and Benue States, sponsored by Sen. Diket Plang (Plateau Central) and Sen. Titus Zam (Benue North-West), respectively.

Akpabio, represented by the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, said:
“The current funding levels for the health sector remain far below the commitments we have made at continental and global levels. This National Health Act (Amendment) Bill aims to strengthen the financial framework that supports primary healthcare, disease prevention, health workforce development, and emergency response. Increased funding is not an expense; it is an investment in national security, economic growth, and human capital.”

He emphasised that each of the bills responded to real and pressing health challenges confronting Nigerians.
“They are not abstract legislative proposals; they address conditions that affect millions of Nigerians—directly or indirectly—every single day.”

Akpabio noted that Nigeria bears the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally.
“Every year, thousands of our children are born with sickle cell disorder, and many do not survive to adulthood due to inadequate diagnosis and poor access to therapy. The Sickle Cell Disorder Bill seeks to change that narrative by establishing dedicated research and therapy centres that will expand scientific knowledge, improve patient care, and reduce mortality. It is a crucial step toward giving hope to families affected by this condition.”

He assured that the National Assembly remains committed to strengthening the nation’s health architecture and ensuring that laws effectively address the realities faced by the people.

Sen. Banigo, Chairman of the Committee and sponsor of the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, said the amendment was necessary to increase the percentage of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) from the current one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
“This is necessitated by the fact that the current allocation is abysmally low to meet national health needs,” she said.

In his presentation, Sen. Katung explained that the Sickle Cell Disorder Research and Therapy Centres Bill seeks to establish seven centres—one in each of the six geopolitical zones and one in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“These centres represent a commitment that Nigeria will finally provide our children with sickle cell disorder the same standard of care available in other parts of the world,” he said.

Katung further noted that Nigeria carries the heaviest burden of sickle cell disorder globally, with about 150,000 babies born annually with the condition. He added that once established, the centres would serve as hubs of excellence—places where patients receive specialised care and families receive counselling.