The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently release the N200 million allocated for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in the 2025 national budget.
The organisation warned that delays could jeopardise health outcomes and weaken Nigeria’s preparedness against disease outbreaks.
The Founder and CEO of AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, while speaking with newsmen.
IPC is a set of health measures designed to prevent the spread of infections within healthcare settings and the community.
It includes hand hygiene, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sterilisation, proper waste disposal and maintaining clean environments.
IPC protects patients, health workers, and the public, reduces healthcare-associated infections, and strengthens health security, especially critical in outbreak situations like COVID-19 or Ebola.
Magashi commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for including the crucial IPC funding in the approved budget, under the code ERGP25217466.
He said that while allocation was commendable, timely disbursement is key to achieving meaningful impact.
“The N200 million allocated to IPC is not just a budget line, it is a life-saving investment.
“Releasing these funds will enable the government to provide essential IPC supplies such as clean water, electricity, liquid soaps, sterilising machines, cleaning agents, hand washing basins and PPEs in health facilities across Nigeria,” he said.
He said that health workers and patients in rural and under-resourced areas would be the biggest beneficiaries if the funds were released and used promptly.
He cautioned that failure to release the funds could undermine progress made in infection prevention efforts and limit Nigeria’s ability to respond to public health threats.
He also said that quick and transparent fund use could position Nigeria to receive greater international support.
“If the NCDC acts quickly and shows results, it strengthens Nigeria’s case for even greater IPC funding in 2026, and signals to donors that we are serious about health security,” he added.
He commended the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) for their technical and financial support during the advocacy campaign.
According to him, the support led to the reinstatement of the IPC budget line, which had been removed in the 2024 fiscal year.
Magashi also called the attention of NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, to the opportunity at hand.
He urged the agency to facilitate the prompt release of the funds and coordinate its usage under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
He pledged to work with civil society and development partners to monitor the release and utilisation of the funds, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Nigeria’s federal budgeting for IPC has evolved over recent years, reflecting both progress and challenges in prioritising health security.
In 2023 the NCDC received a modest allocation of N50 million for IPC activities. However, less than 40 per cent of this amount was utilised leading to the removal of IPC funding in the 2024 budget.
This absence highlighted the need for sustained advocacy to reinstate IPC funding.
Meanwhile, in 2025, following concerted advocacy efforts, the federal government reinstated IPC funding in the national budget.
The NCDC was allocated N200 million, while the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) received N540 million for IPC-related activities, including health promotion and laboratory services.
These developments highlighted the importance of consistent and adequate funding for IPC to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems and prevent healthcare-associated infections.
NAN
