The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has expressed concern over the poor release of funds for the health sector, revealing that only N36 million was released from the N218 billion approved for the ministry’s capital projects in the 2025 budget.
Pate made the disclosure on Monday during the 2026 budget defence before the House Committee on Healthcare Services. According to him, the shortfall severely affected the implementation of key health projects across the country.
“Out of the N218 billion appropriated to the health sector by the parliament for the execution of capital projects in the 2025 fiscal year, only N36 million was released,” the minister told lawmakers.
While noting that the personnel budget was fully released and utilised, Pate explained that the capital component suffered major setbacks due to cash flow constraints and systemic bottlenecks. He specifically pointed to the bottom-up cash planning system operated by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation as a key challenge.
The minister also disclosed that delays in Nigeria’s counterpart funding for donor-supported programmes limited the country’s ability to access some external funds.
According to him, the funding gap stalled several projects despite the ministry’s preparedness, leading to prolonged delays in infrastructure development, equipment procurement and the completion of hospitals and laboratories nationwide.
