Nigeria Seeks $150bn for Vaccine Procurement as Health Spending Surges

Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has announced plans to raise nearly $150 billion to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026, as part of a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare financing and reduce reliance on foreign aid.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.”

Edun revealed that Nigeria’s health sector budget for 2025 rose by nearly 60 percent, while the Basic Health Care Provision Fund expanded from ₦31.5 billion in 2024 to ₦298 billion projected for 2026.

“We are actively seeking to raise about $150 billion to cover vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026. Health is being prioritised — the sector now accounts for 5.2 percent of the national budget, up from just over three percent a few years ago,” Edun stated.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, noted that the government is intensifying efforts to promote local solutions, strengthen vaccine production, and expand primary healthcare services nationwide.

“We are combining domestic resources, local engagement, and measurable outcomes to build a health system that is resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the people it serves,” Pate said.

He revealed that primary healthcare utilisation surged from 10 million visits in Q1 2024 to 45 million in Q2 2025, while modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age has nearly doubled.

The minister added that vaccination coverage for measles, rubella, and HPV has met or exceeded national targets, and all 36 states now align with the National Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.

Pate also highlighted fiscal measures being explored, including taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships, and digital transparency tools to improve accountability in health spending.

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Mirian Gom

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Gom Mirian AHR Senior Correspondent, has over 8 years’ experience reporting on health, crime, education, investigations, and development issues across Nigeria and Africa. With dual degrees in Economics, she combines analytical skill with compelling storytelling. Widely recognised for her public health and humanitarian reporting, she earned a Nestlé Award nomination for compelling human-interest journalism. Follow her on Twitter @mirian_linus.

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