The Federal Government has begun onboarding State Oversight Committees nationwide to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) 2.0.
The exercise kicked off with a South-West Zonal meeting in Lagos on Wednesday, marking renewed efforts to ensure that public health funds are properly utilised and that each naira spent delivers tangible health outcomes.
Dr Oritseweyimi Ogbe, Secretary of the Ministerial Oversight Committee at the Federal Ministry of Health, explained that the initiative followed a directive from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, calling for stricter oversight and transparent management of the BHCPF.
He said, “The Honourable Coordinating Minister has emphasized that the BHCPF must be driven by transparency, visibility, and accountability. Every naira spent must yield measurable results in health outcomes.”
Dr Ogbe added that the updated BHCPF Guideline 2.0 introduces stronger monitoring mechanisms, including the appointment of performance and financial management officers in all local government areas, the deployment of digital platforms for tracking disbursements, and the involvement of civil society organisations in fund oversight.
He also noted that the Federal Ministry of Health has signed an agreement with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to prevent misuse of funds, stressing, “the days of opaque disbursements were over.”
The BHCPF, established under the National Health Act of 2014, is funded with not less than one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Dr Ogbe outlined that the fund is distributed through four channels: 45 per cent goes to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), 48.25 per cent to State Health Insurance Agencies under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), with smaller allocations to the Emergency Medical Treatment gateway and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which receives 1.25 per cent.
He revealed that over 8,309 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) currently benefit from the BHCPF, with plans to expand coverage to 17,600 facilities by 2027 under the Presidential Commitment for Health. Fund disbursement details are now regularly published in national newspapers and on ministry websites to improve public access to information.
Dr Ogbe encouraged citizens to hold their state and local governments accountable for how BHCPF funds are used locally while recognising states that demonstrate effective management. “The BHCPF is the foundation for delivering affordable, quality healthcare to Nigerians. With BHCPF 2.0, we are determined to ensure that the system works better, the money is traceable, and the people truly benefit,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, described BHCPF 2.0 as a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing governance and accelerating healthcare service delivery nationwide.
He said, “What is new about the 2.0 is really the governance structure. The Federal Coordinating Minister is simplifying bureaucratic processes so that approvals, requests, and annual operating plans can move faster.”
Prof Abayomi explained that the fund has three main components—insurance, primary healthcare, and emergency preparedness—designed to address critical gaps in the health system.
“The federal, state, and local governments are working together to ensure all citizens, especially the vulnerable, are covered by social health insurance in line with the NHIA Act of 2022,” he said, noting that Lagos State currently has 245 accredited PHCs under the BHCPF and is upgrading additional facilities to ensure quality care in all wards.
He added that the fund allows PHCs to enhance infrastructure, procure essential equipment, and build capacity to manage emergencies such as cholera, diphtheria, and road accidents.
Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency under the revised BHCPF framework. Represented by Dr Ashiru Abubakar, Technical Assistant to the Coordinating Minister, he said, “The Minister has directed full disclosure of BHCPF facilities and the amounts disbursed to them since 2019. This empowers civil society and citizens to demand accountability in the use of public funds.”
Referencing the 2023 BHCPF Audit Report, which highlighted accountability gaps in previous implementations, Dr Umar-Sadiq urged the new oversight committees to ensure compliance and transparency across all states.
