Nigeria made notable progress in strengthening its healthcare system in 2025, training thousands of health workers and expanding health insurance coverage across the country.
According to the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report, the country trained over 23,000 additional frontline health workers in 2025, bringing the two-year total to 78,146 personnel.
The report, produced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in line with the National Health Act, was released on Saturday in Abuja.
Progress in Health Sector Reforms
The document provides a broad assessment of reforms implemented under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector‑Wide Approach for Health, which coordinate investments and policy reforms in the country’s health sector.
It revealed that the newly trained frontline workers represent 65 percent of the federal government’s target of 120,000 health workers, aimed at improving service delivery, particularly at primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
Health Insurance Coverage Expands
The report also highlighted progress in improving financial protection for citizens through health insurance programmes.
The number of Nigerians covered by any form of health insurance increased from 19.2 million in 2024 to 21.7 million in 2025, representing about 13 percent national coverage.
Authorities also secured presidential approval for the full implementation of mandatory health insurance, a step expected to significantly boost enrolment in the coming years.
To sustain healthcare services, payments to providers were also increased. Capitation payments rose by 93 percent, while fee-for-service payments increased by 378 percent to reflect rising economic costs.
Expansion of Basic Healthcare Fund
The report noted that Basic Health Care Provision Fund 2.0, launched in October 2025 with new operational and financial reforms, had already enrolled about 2.7 million Nigerians by the fourth quarter of the year.
Boost for Maternal and Newborn Care
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) signed agreements with more than 200 health facilities to expand access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) for vulnerable women.
Through the programme:
- 19,270 women received CEmONC services nationwide
- 20,486 claims were reimbursed to 186 health facilities
- 242 facilities were enlisted under the maternal health component
The neonatal arm of the programme was also launched in seven hospitals in Kano and Lagos in September 2025.
Emergency Response Strengthened
Emergency medical services also recorded significant activity during the year.
The State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System responded to 26,431 maternal emergencies nationwide.
Additionally, the Rural Emergency Services for Maternal and Newborn Transport initiative supported 34,331 pregnant women and newborns across 124 local government areas through dedicated transport systems.
Disease Control and Vaccination Efforts
The report further highlighted progress in disease prevention and treatment programmes.
Nigeria began malaria vaccine implementation in Bayelsa and Kebbi states, marking a major milestone in the fight against the disease.
Meanwhile, the country’s HIV treatment programme maintained coverage above 87 percent, with viral suppression exceeding 95 percent, contributing to a steady decline in new infections.
Strengthening Health Security
To improve national preparedness for public health emergencies, the federal government launched the second National Action Plan on Health Security, which integrates disease surveillance, immunisation and veterinary services for coordinated responses.
A new digital platform, MSDAT, was also introduced to provide interactive dashboards for monitoring health system performance and quality of care.
Growth in Local Health Product Manufacturing
The report noted increasing progress in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A tax waiver exceeding ₦6 billion was granted to 47 pharmaceutical manufacturers under the Presidential Executive Order on Health Products.
New facilities inaugurated in 2025 include:
- A Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) factory by Codix Bio
- A syringe manufacturing plant with a daily capacity of 750,000 units
Currently, 37 pharmaceutical facilities are undergoing upgrades to meet international Good Manufacturing Practice standards, while 38 percent of government-procured medicines are sourced locally.
Crackdown on Fake Drugs
In a major regulatory move, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control seized and destroyed over ₦1 trillion worth of banned, expired and substandard medical products in 2025.
According to the report, these efforts form part of broader reforms under the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, which focuses on improving healthcare governance, financing and service delivery across the country.
