Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government says it has revitalised 4,434 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across Nigeria, with 908 facilities still undergoing work, as it seeks to expand access to essential health services.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, disclosed the figures at the agency’s quarterly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
Aina said the intervention followed an assessment that exposed major gaps in the condition and readiness of primary healthcare facilities when the current administration began its health sector reforms. “We embarked on a very ambitious reform programme to improve the service readiness of health facilities. We took an honest look at the state of the primary health centres, and it wasn’t very good when we started,” he said.
According to Aina, the government has renovated, commissioned and handed over 3,526 facilities to state governments and local government councils. Work continues at another 908 centres. The facilities span all 36 states and almost every local government area, according to the agency.
NPHCDA Reports Growth in Functional PHCs
Aina said the number of Level 2 primary healthcare centres had increased by 59 per cent compared with March 2024. He added that 53 per cent of the 27,000 PHC facilities under active engagement were now functional.
The agency is equipping Level 2 centres with reliable electricity, solar power, water supplies and sanitation facilities to improve service delivery. “Solarisation is a critical part of this revitalisation. You are required to have reliable water and sanitation facilities,” Aina said.
Reliable power and clean water are essential for healthcare delivery. They support vaccine refrigeration, diagnostic equipment, infection prevention and hygienic conditions.
Agency Introduces PHC Monitoring Dashboard
The NPHCDA chief also announced a live, geocoded dashboard on the agency’s website to improve transparency and public access to information about primary healthcare facilities.
The platform is designed to make facility data easier to access and strengthen accountability for investments in the sector.
However, the number of facilities renovated or undergoing work does not necessarily show whether they consistently provide adequate healthcare. Staff availability, essential medicines, functioning equipment and reliable operating budgets remain critical measures of service readiness.
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Hope Ajayi 
