Nigeria recorded major improvements in healthcare delivery in 2025, with more frontline workers trained and wider insurance coverage across the country. A new federal report shows expanded emergency services, stronger disease prevention programmes, and increased local production of medical supplies.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed that more than 23,000 additional frontline health workers were trained in 2025. This brings the total number trained over the past two years to 78,146.
The figure represents 65 per cent of the Federal Government’s target of 120,000 workers aimed at improving service delivery, especially at primary healthcare centres nationwide.
Details were contained in the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report released in Abuja. The document reviewed progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach framework coordinating reforms and investments.
Health insurance coverage also increased during the period. Enrollees rose from 19.2 million in 2024 to 21.7 million in 2025, translating to about 13 per cent national coverage.
The report confirmed presidential backing for full implementation of mandatory health insurance. Payment rates under capitation and fee-for-service models were also raised by 93 per cent and 378 per cent respectively to reflect economic conditions and sustain care delivery.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund 2.0 programme, introduced in October 2025 with new accountability and operational measures, enrolled approximately 2.7 million Nigerians by the fourth quarter of the year.
Maternal and newborn care services recorded expanded reach. Memoranda of understanding were signed with more than 200 facilities to scale access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care for vulnerable women.
A total of 19,270 women received emergency obstetric and newborn services nationwide, while 20,486 claims were reimbursed to 186 facilities. Additionally, 242 facilities were enlisted under the maternal health component.
Neonatal services began in September 2025 across seven facilities located in Kano and Lagos. Emergency medical response systems handled 26,431 maternal emergencies across the country.
The Rural Emergency Services for Maternal and Newborn Transport initiative also supported 34,331 pregnant women and newborns in 124 local government areas.
On disease prevention, Nigeria commenced malaria vaccine deployment in Bayelsa and Kebbi states. The rollout marked a significant step in national malaria control efforts.
HIV treatment coverage remained above 87 per cent, while viral suppression exceeded 95 per cent, contributing to a sustained decline in new infections.
In health security, the government launched the second National Action Plan on Health Security to strengthen coordinated emergency response systems. The framework integrates disease surveillance, immunisation programmes, and veterinary services.
A digital monitoring platform, MSDAT, was also introduced to provide interactive dashboards for tracking health system performance and quality of care indicators.
Local pharmaceutical production received further support through fiscal incentives. Tax waivers exceeding six billion naira were granted under the Presidential Executive Order on Health Products, benefiting 47 manufacturers.
New industrial investments include a Rapid Diagnostic Test production facility established by Codix Bio and a syringe manufacturing plant with capacity to produce 750,000 units daily.
Thirty-seven pharmaceutical factories are undergoing upgrades to meet international Good Manufacturing Practice standards. Locally produced medicines and commodities now account for 38 per cent of public sector procurement.
Efforts to curb counterfeit and substandard drugs intensified during the year. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control confiscated and destroyed medical products valued at over one trillion naira.
The reforms form part of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027), which focuses on improving governance, financing systems, and nationwide service delivery.
Priority areas include maternal and child health, immunisation expansion, insurance coverage, workforce development, medical supply chains, and pandemic preparedness.
