A review by SaharaReporters of Nigeria’s fourth-quarter 2024 budget performance document has revealed that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, utilised only 36% of the Ministry of Health’s capital expenditure allocation.
This underperformance occurred even though the 2024 budget year was extended until June 2025.
According to the document, ₦543 billion was earmarked for capital projects in the health sector during the 2024 fiscal year. However, only ₦174.9 billion had been released and spent as of June 2025.
The disclosure comes amid renewed public and international calls for increased investment in healthcare and the revitalisation of Nigeria’s deteriorating health infrastructure.
In September, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Administration highlighted ongoing deficiencies within Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing it as “underdeveloped” and lacking modern medical facilities.
The report noted that Nigeria’s health indicators remain among the weakest in Africa, with a rapidly growing population — averaging 5.5 live births per woman and expanding at 3.2% annually. The population is projected to hit 400 million by 2050, making Nigeria the world’s fourth most populous country.
The report further observed that Nigeria faces a severe shortage of medical professionals, with just 23.3 doctors per 100,000 people — far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 100 doctors per 100,000. This shortfall is largely attributed to the ongoing mass migration of health workers abroad.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) estimates that the country loses at least $2 billion annually to medical tourism, with India accounting for more than half of that expenditure.
In an interview earlier in October, the Lagos NMA Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, criticised the government’s weak commitment to healthcare development, describing the sector as chronically underfunded and neglected.
“The Nigerian health system has struggled since independence, with minimal progress and limited impact. It continues to face significant challenges due to poor financing and inadequate government attention,” Saheed said.
He identified insufficient budgetary allocation and the ongoing “Japa syndrome” — the mass migration of healthcare workers — as major obstacles.
According to him, “Budgetary allocation still ranges between four and six percent, far below the 15% target set in the 2001 Abuja Declaration.” He also lamented the government’s lack of meaningful efforts to address the brain drain crisis.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to decry the dilapidated state of public hospitals, while resident doctors have repeatedly threatened strike actions over poor welfare and working conditions.
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