The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has reaffirmed its commitment to full financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government areas while calling for reforms in health financing.
ALGON Chairman in Jalingo, Taraba State, Aminu Hassan, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Health Financing Policy Dialogue organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and partners. The event, themed “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria”, focused on sustainable models to make healthcare more equitable and accessible.
Hassan said implementing the Supreme Court judgment granting LG autonomy would transform grassroots service delivery. “Once this judgment is implemented, a lot of things will begin to change at the local government level,” he said, noting that councils would be able to channel more funds into healthcare, agriculture, sanitation, and security. He commended President Bola Tinubu and Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate for giving LGs a stronger voice in national health discussions.
ALGON’s representative, Samuel Gejere, added that aligning LG budgets with social determinants of health would ease pressure on overstretched primary healthcare centres. He stressed the need for innovative funding models, such as basket funds and digitalised systems, to boost transparency and efficiency.
Also speaking, Dr Mohammed Safana, CEO of the Katsina State Health Insurance Agency, shared lessons from the state’s insurance scheme launched in 2019. He highlighted progress in awareness but warned that affordability, insecurity, rising costs, and staff shortages remain key challenges. He urged states to set up health trust funds and strengthen community ownership for accountability.
Stakeholders at the dialogue agreed that sustained advocacy, political commitment, and efficient resource use are essential to accelerate health sector reforms nationwide.
