Nigeria took a landmark step toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) on Friday as the Federal Government and stakeholders signed the expanded UHC Compact Addendum, for the first time binding private sector actors, local government authorities, traditional institutions, and other ministries to shared accountability obligations.
The historic signing capped the 2025 Health Sector–Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR), held from November 12–14 at Transcorp Event Centre, Maitama, Abuja. Nearly 1,000 participants—double last year’s turnout—gathered, representing federal and state governments, development partners, private sector, academia, civil society, traditional leaders, ALGON, and the media.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, hailed the renewed commitments as “a decisive step to build a health system that delivers measurable results for every Nigerian, no matter who they are or where they live.”
Co-chaired by Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the three-day Review endorsed the Compact expansion, new digital tools, and performance resolutions to accelerate the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and advance UHC.
The Addendum introduces a transparent “Ask-and-Offer” framework and responds to evolving global health financing trends by integrating non-state actors into Nigeria’s accountability architecture.
Key Progress Under NHSRII Spotlight Sessions:
- Maternal mortality reduced by up to 17% in early-implementing LGAs under the MAMII initiative
- Enhanced PHC functionality, emergency referrals, and health insurance enrollment
- Growth in local pharmaceutical and diagnostics manufacturing
- Strengthened surveillance, laboratory systems, and emergency operations
- Data-driven governance reforms amid anticipated declines in external funding
Digital Innovations Showcased:
- BHCPF digital platform
- National e-learning system for health workers
- PHC revitalization dashboards
- SAVE MAMA (RESMAT)
- NHIA digital claims platform
Stakeholders emphasized that digitalization is central to transparency and real-time monitoring.
In a groundbreaking move, the JAR hosted an open dialogue on corruption, reviewing BHCPF utilization and cross-agency audits. Participants confronted persistent challenges: ghost workers, irregular payments, double expenditures, and weak fiscal tracking.
Anti-Corruption Resolutions:
- Biometric verification across all PHCs and insurance platforms by Q1 2026
- Digital expenditure tracking in BHCPF facilities by Q3 2026
An expanded Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (ICC) session tackled immunization performance, vaccine financing, and data quality, stressing the need for predictable counterpart funding and reliance on validated data sources.
The JAR Learning Exhibition featured over 45 abstracts and exhibits, while the People’s Pulse Town Hall amplified citizen voices on cost, service quality, health worker conduct, and facility responsiveness.
Newly Launched National Frameworks:
- National CEmONC Facility Readiness Assessment Report
- Climate and Health National Adaptation Plan
- Second National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS-2)
- N-CAS Strategy for harmonized campaigns
- Mini-DHS Framework for annual outcome tracking
- Data visibility tools: HSSB, NHFR, NHMIS Assessment, MSDAT
Prof. Pate concluded: “The Review highlighted strong gains but also clear gaps. With renewed accountability, digital rigor, and collective resolve, Nigeria is building a health system that truly delivers for everyone.”
