Senate approves increase in Basic Health Services Fund to 2%

The Senate has approved increasing funding for Nigeria’s Basic Health Services Provision Fund (BHCPF), to two percent of consolidated revenues.

The move aims to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the country.

This follows the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) on the “National Health Law (amendment) Bill 2026 at Thursday’s plenary session in Abuja.

Committee Chairman Ipalibo Banigo who co-sponsored the bill recalled that the bill was read a second time on October 22, 2025.

He said the bill aims to amend the National Health Act. No.8 of 2014 in order to increase the BHCPF from one percent to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

“Primary Health Services are the foundation of a strong health system, where mothers give birth, children are immunized and diseases are detected and treated early.

“However, in many communities in Nigeria, primary health centers struggle with poor infrastructure, inadequate staff, and shortages of medicines and essential commodities.

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“By increasing the Basic Health Services Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one percent to two percent of the CRF, we will increase the funding available to strengthen existing frontline facilities, recruit and retain skilled health workers.

“And guarantee access to medicines and essential services, especially for women, children and rural communities,” said Banigo.

He added that the increase would also reduce financial hardship for households, which currently bear the highest burden of health costs.

“And align Nigeria with best practices in other African countries that have implemented higher domestic health investment thresholds.”

He noted that the BHCPF was established under Section 11 of the National Health Act of 2014 to guarantee a minimum healthcare service package to all Nigerians.

“This represents the first legal mechanism in Nigeria for sustainable health financing,” its chairman explained.