The Federal Government says Nigeria has recorded progress in maternal and newborn health, primary healthcare services, health insurance enrolment, specialist medical treatment and the domestic production of essential health products under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The developments form part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which is being implemented through a partnership between the Federal Government and state governments, with wider participation from local governments, private businesses, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the reforms are designed to improve access to affordable, quality healthcare and move Nigeria closer to achieving universal health coverage.
Maternal Health Programme Records Reduction in Facility Fatalities
One of the reported gains has been recorded under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), which focuses on 172 local government areas identified as having a high burden of maternal mortality.
Figures released by the government indicate that case fatality in participating maternal health facilities fell by 22 per cent between 2024 and August 2026.
The initiative also linked approximately 750,000 women to antenatal care in the targeted areas during the 12 months preceding the report, expanding opportunities for pregnant women to receive medical attention and early intervention.
The National Health Insurance Authority has also extended emergency obstetric and newborn care to more beneficiaries. By August 2026, more than 93,000 women and newborns had been reached through its emergency maternal, newborn and fistula programmes.
Thousands of Primary Healthcare Centres Receive Support
The government has also reported progress in strengthening healthcare at the community level, with 3,526 primary healthcare centres revitalised across the country.
According to the latest figures, Nigeria currently has 14,107 functional primary healthcare clinics. The administration says these facilities are central to improving access to basic medical services, particularly for people who may struggle to reach larger hospitals.
Between 2023 and the reporting period ending in September 2026, approximately ₦249.5 billion was disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and to primary healthcare centres.
The funding is intended to support the delivery of essential services and strengthen the capacity of frontline health facilities.
Health Insurance Enrolment Exceeds 23 Million
Health insurance coverage has also expanded during the period under review.
The Federal Government said the number of people enrolled in health insurance rose from approximately 16 million at the beginning of the Tinubu administration to more than 23 million by September 2026.
Among those covered are 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians who received subsidised health insurance through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
The expansion is part of efforts to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment and make healthcare more accessible to households that might otherwise struggle to pay for essential services.
Millions of Children and Girls Reached Through Vaccination Campaigns
Immunisation remains another major component of the government’s health sector interventions.
Nigeria’s measles and rubella vaccination campaign had reached approximately 103 million children by May 2026, according to the figures provided by the Federal Government.
In addition, more than 18 million girls aged between nine and 14 had received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The vaccination programmes are intended to strengthen disease prevention and protect children and young people against vaccine-preventable illnesses.
New Cancer and Specialist Treatment Facilities Commissioned
The administration has also invested in expanding access to specialist medical services.
Three cancer treatment centres located in Katsina, Benin and Enugu have been completed and commissioned in collaboration with NSIA MedServe.
The government further reported the completion of 10 diagnostic and specialist centres in October 2026, alongside investments in eye care, dialysis subsidies and improvements to infrastructure and equipment in federal tertiary hospitals.
These interventions are intended to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian hospitals to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions and reduce barriers to specialist care.
Local Production of Medicines and Medical Supplies Expands
Beyond healthcare delivery, the Federal Government is pursuing reforms aimed at increasing domestic production of essential health products.
Ten factories manufacturing priority healthcare products have been commissioned, including six in 2026. The targeted products include essential medicines, diagnostic supplies, mosquito nets, medical devices and medical oxygen.
The Presidential Executive Order on local pharmaceutical production has also provided eligible manufacturers with tax and tariff relief to support domestic manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain has facilitated technology transfers, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities intended to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare manufacturing industry.
The government sees local production as a way to improve the availability of essential medical supplies while strengthening national health security and reducing reliance on external sources.
Government Targets Stronger Health Workforce and Emergency Services
The reform programme also covers health workforce development, nutrition, disease prevention, public health laboratories and emergency referral systems.
These areas are intended to improve the quality and resilience of healthcare delivery, including the ability of facilities to respond to emergencies and connect patients with appropriate treatment.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working with stakeholders across different levels of government and the private sector to support these interventions.
FG Acknowledges Remaining Healthcare Challenges
Despite the reported gains, the Federal Government recognises that significant challenges remain in the health sector.
These include unequal access to medical services, shortages of essential medicines, inadequate emergency transport and the uneven distribution of health workers across the country.
The administration says further progress will depend on sustained investment, stronger accountability and continued cooperation among federal, state and local governments, development partners and private-sector organisations.
The Ministry maintains that the impact of the reforms must ultimately be measured by improvements in people’s lives, including safer childbirth, healthier children, more affordable treatment and better access to essential medical services.
The government also aims to develop a stronger domestic healthcare industry capable of supporting the country’s long-term health needs.
The update was issued by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, on 15 October 2026, following a briefing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate.
