Nigeria's Health Revamp: Upgrading 901 Centers Aims for 2,700 More by 2025

As part of efforts to bolster the healthcare infrastructure, the Federal Government has successfully rejuvenated 901 Primary Health Care Centers nationwide within the last year.

This achievement is a component of the government’s initiative to guarantee that each ward in Nigeria boasts at least one operational Primary Health Centre (PHC) equipped to deliver 24/7 healthcare services.

The rejuvenation endeavor is a joint project involving the federal government, state agencies, development partners, and the private sector.

Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, made these remarks during a briefing at the PHC update and 2025 Africa Immunization Week press conference in Abuja on Tuesday. He also mentioned that more than 2,700 primary health centers are presently being upgraded, with all slated for completion by the close of 2025.

The theme for the 2025 AVW is "Communities vaccinated, communities thriving."

Our objective is to ensure that each ward has at least one operational Primary Health Center (PHC), defined as an institution capable of safely delivering a pregnant woman around the clock. To achieve this, we evaluated PHCs in two phases: over 8,400 facilities were reviewed in the first phase, followed by approximately 18,024 in the second phase.

In the past year, collaborating with states, development partners, and the private sector, I'm pleased to share that we've collectively revived 901 primary health centers. Furthermore, improvements are currently underway at more than 2,700 primary health centers scheduled for completion.

In 2025, consistent with our accountability framework, we've implemented a real-time dashboard to monitor our progress. Nigerians now have direct access to this information. Anyone can simply click and view the current status of primary health centers.

is phc.nphcda.gov.ng.”

He mentioned that in 2024, a sum of N22 billion was distributed to states via the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund NPHCDA channel, whereas N51 billion was released through all four BHCPF channels.

The four BHCPF access points include the NPHCDA (which focuses on primary healthcare and service preparedness), the conventional Health Insurance Authority (aiming to provide financial protection for individuals), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (addressing public health emergencies and safety), and the National Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (supporting logistical needs to transport people to medical facilities during crises).

This year, we are significantly boosting the funding allocated to these facilities. As a result, over four years, we plan to increase the number of PHC facilities supported by BHCPF from 8,406 to 17,600. After conducting evaluations, we found some non-operational PHCs which were removed and will be replaced.

It’s crucial to clarify that our expansion isn’t aimed at adding two PHCs per ward. Instead, we’re collaborating with states and local entities to distribute extra facilities among the wards based on their specific requirements. This approach takes into account factors such as identified gaps, health burdens, large populations, and equitable distribution principles. Consequently, some wards may receive one, two, or even three facilities according to these assessed needs.

For the NPHCDA portal, we've initiated several reforms under BHCPF 2.0, such as boosting the quarterly funding allocated to health facilities. Under this new scheme, high-volume facilities will receive N800,000 each quarter, up from the previous N300,000, while low-volume facilities will be granted N600,000 per quarter. This additional financial support aims to enhance service usage. Furthermore, these funds complement income generated through capitation via the National Health Insurance Authority and various insurance programs.

He mentioned that as part of the initiatives to bolster the BHCPF, the government is working on securing an extra $1 billion in donor funding to improve primary health care services.

He highlighted that to maintain accountability and effective utilization of these resources, a Primary Health Care (PHC) financial management application was created and tested in Rivers, Ekiti, Gombe, and Kaduna. This application, set for national expansion, streamlines business planning, monitors income and expenditures, and aims to decrease funding distribution lags while enhancing fiscal openness.

He stated that the government is focusing on workforce development by making sure every operational Primary Health Center (PHC) has a minimum of four trained birth attendants.

He stated that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is backing this initiative by providing 60,000 professional kits to front-line personnel via her Renewed Hope Initiative. This support is enhancing morale and elevating infection prevention protocols.

As he stated, the nation currently sees more than 20 million patient visits to primary health centers each quarter, showing greater utilization of antenatal services.

The number of women receiving antenatal care has increased twofold. In 2024, 6 million pregnant women obtained folic acid and multiple micronutrient supplements; 43 million children were administered vitamin A supplementation; 9 million children got deworming tablets; more than six million children are completely vaccinated against preventable diseases.

diseases,” Aina added.

In last month's statement, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate reaffirmed the government's dedication to improving governance, increasing accessibility to high-quality healthcare services, developing the full potential within the health sector, and boosting health security measures.

"By collaborating with our federal and state colleagues, development partners, and front-line healthcare providers, we've established a solid base for a comprehensive sector strategy that promotes cooperation, efficiency, and responsibility," stated Pate.

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