The Federal Government has recruited no fewer 37,000 health workers across its institutions since 2023, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health.
The statement, signed by Mr Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, said the recruitment, alongside the training of 70,000 frontline workers, aims to improve service delivery.
It added that the government has approved Nigeria’s National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to tackle the challenge of skilled health professionals leaving the country.
According to Bako, the policy seeks to improve workforce planning, strengthen retention, and promote ethical recruitment.
“These actions are supported by the National Health Workforce Registry and continued investments in specialist training and workforce development,” he added.
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He also highlighted progress under the revised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0), describing it as a key driver of improved primary healthcare delivery.
Bako said the federal government has approved N32.9 billion under the revised framework to support no fewer than 8,300 Primary Health Centres, with plans to expand to 13,000 facilities nationwide.
He noted that the government’s health reforms have resulted in 80 million patient visits, while over 21 million vulnerable Nigerians have accessed care through the Vulnerable Groups Health Insurance Fund.
The ministry added that disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness are being strengthened through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the BHCPF.
On access to medicines, the ministry said the government is expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain.
“The objective is simple: strengthen local production, improve medicine security and make essential medicines more available and affordable for Nigerians,” Bako said.
He explained that the reforms also include investments in health infrastructure, maternal and newborn health, emergency preparedness, digital health systems, and accountability.
As of the 2025 Joint Annual Review, Bako said, 84 per cent of the key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Renewal Compact have been achieved.
While significant challenges remain, he noted that the government has continued to pursue sustained reforms rather than deny existing gaps.
“Nigeria’s health sector still faces significant challenges, and the government has never suggested otherwise.
“Lasting reforms, however, are measured not by rhetoric, but by sustained action, transparent implementation and measurable results,” he said.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with healthcare professionals, civil society, development partners, the private sector and all stakeholders to build a stronger and more resilient health system.
“Our mandate remains clear: save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and improve the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” the statement said.
