Stakeholders Urge Action to Close Nigeria's Public Health Financing Gap for Non-Communicable Diseases
Stakeholders have issued a compelling call for urgent measures to address critical barriers to effective public health financing for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across Nigeria. This urgent appeal was made during a capacity-strengthening workshop specifically designed for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) focusing on public financing for NCDs and the implementation of the NCD Multi-Sectoral Action Plan (NCD-MSAP).
Identifying Core Financial Challenges
Participants at the workshop, which was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), pinpointed several systemic issues. These include low budgetary prioritization, weak donor interest, and fragmented funding streams. These challenges are identified as primary drivers behind the high rates of out-of-pocket spending by Nigerians for NCD care.
Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan, the Country Lead for Health System Strengthening at GHAI, underscored a significant and alarming gap in public financing for NCDs. He revealed that no funds were released for these diseases in the 2025 fiscal year. Expressing deep concern, he noted that the first quarter of 2026 is nearly concluded without any clarity on funding allocations, stressing the immediate need to build the capacity of MDAs to advocate effectively for the release of appropriated funds.
"That is one of the core reasons we are gathered here, so that all the relevant MDAs can strengthen their capacity to advocate for fund releases after appropriations have been made," Prof. Alhassan stated.
The Rising Burden and Service Delivery Gaps
Alhassan issued a stark warning about the escalating burden of NCDs, which now account for approximately one-third of all deaths in Nigeria, a sharp increase from previous estimates of one-fifth. He also highlighted persistent gaps in service delivery, recalling that despite the Federal Government's procurement of glucometers for primary healthcare centers across all 774 local government areas in 2024, coverage and accessibility remain critically inadequate.
He added that the workshop also aims to review the current NCD-MSAP and establish a foundational groundwork for a new five-year strategic plan. This new plan will focus heavily on building a robust and sustainable advocacy framework dedicated to securing long-term financing for NCD prevention and management.
Taxation and Funding Disparities
Alayo Sopekan, the National Coordinator of the NCD Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, pointed out a significant policy shortfall. Although the government has implemented taxes on alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, and tobacco since 2015, the revenue generated is not being specifically channeled to address the NCDs these products contribute to.
"These taxes are designed to generate revenue and reduce consumption, but some of us are advocating that a portion, perhaps even one per cent, should be reinvested directly into tackling the NCDs they cause," Sopekan explained.
He further observed a troubling disparity: while funding for communicable diseases remains relatively robust, support for NCD prevention, control, and management is severely limited, with fewer development partners willing to commit resources. "Government is providing some funding, but it is very low. Yet, early detection and prevention are absolutely critical in managing non-communicable diseases effectively," he emphasized.
Call for Domestic Resource Mobilization
Marcel Sati, the Team Lead for Health Sector and Human Capital Development at the Budget and Planning Office of the Federation, stressed the paramount importance of domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing mechanisms. He noted that as global health financing increasingly shifts away from donor dependence, Nigeria must proactively adopt strategies agreed upon at African leadership platforms. These strategies focus on mobilizing domestic resources through creative and sustainable financial mechanisms.
Budget Misalignment and Weak Releases
Olympus Adebanjo, the Policy and Advocacy Officer at LISDEL, highlighted a critical issue of poor alignment between the budgets of various MDAs and the activities outlined in the NCD-MSAP. He reported that some agencies achieve as little as 23 per cent alignment with the plan.
"Approximately 45 per cent of MSAP activities receive no budgetary allocation at all, and even where funds are budgeted, they are often not clearly identifiable or earmarked for specific NCD interventions," Adebanjo revealed.
He also pointed to chronically weak budget releases, sometimes as low as 17 per cent, as a major constraint that undermines critical public health interventions. These include essential screening programs, public awareness campaigns, and preventive healthcare initiatives.
Emphasizing a Multi-Sectoral Approach
Adebanjo strongly emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to combat NCDs. He urged sectors beyond health—including finance, education, environment, and infrastructure—to play active and coordinated roles in addressing the root causes and management of these diseases.
"NCDs now account for about one-third of deaths in Nigeria. This alarming trend requires urgent, decisive, and coordinated action from all sectors of government and society," he concluded.
