The BHCPF expansion Nigeria plan aims to double healthcare coverage to reach up to 20 million people as the Federal Government strengthens primary care

According to the Federal Government on Thursday, the BHCPF expansion Nigeria initiative is set to significantly widen access to primary healthcare services, with a target of reaching at least 20 million vulnerable Nigerians within the next year.

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The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, during the 66th National Council on Health meeting in Calabar.

Themed “My health, my right: Accelerating universal health coverage through equity, resilience, and innovation,” the meeting brought together national and sub-national health leaders to assess current progress and set new strategic priorities.

The government’s new plan forms part of a broader strategy to accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage.

The Basic Health Care Provision Fund, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s primary healthcare financing framework, supports essential health services, strengthens local health facilities, and provides funding for emergency treatment.

Dr Salako said the scale-up will focus on pregnant women, children under five, persons with disabilities, the elderly, those facing catastrophic health conditions, and Nigerians living in extreme poverty.

Calling for strong collaboration across all levels of government, he urged council members to support the expansion.

He emphasised that the goal is to double current coverage in the next six to 12 months, ensuring that equity sits at the heart of access and prioritisation.

He also encouraged states to create legally ring-fenced basic healthcare funds, reinforcing the commitment made under the 2014 National Health Act.

Dr Salako added that public financing alone cannot close the country’s wide healthcare investment gap.

He described Public-Private Partnerships as a powerful path to strengthening service delivery, including through performance-based contracting for specialised medical services.

He also stressed the need for innovative financing models as Nigeria prepares to implement new tax laws from January 2026.

Among the options being considered are fuel taxes, sin taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as the formulation of a Diaspora Health Investment Bond aimed at raising 500 million dollars to support national health financing.

He noted that the growing engagement between the Nigerian diaspora community and the government provides a strong foundation for such an initiative.

Salako reiterated the importance of revitalising Primary Healthcare Centres across the country, emphasising the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring at least one functional centre per ward.

He highlighted the significance of task-shifting and task-sharing policies to improve efficiency, reduce waiting times and expand service penetration to underserved communities.

In his goodwill message, the World Health Organisation Representative and Head of Mission to Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, said the priorities of the National Council on Health align strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

He described Universal Health Coverage as both a moral and legal obligation and applauded the proposal to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one to two per cent of the consolidated revenue fund.

Dr Ursu emphasised that the move would strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and support commitments made at the last World Health Assembly.

He praised the adoption of new policies on health workforce migration and expanded training programmes aimed at reinforcing frontline health capacity.

However, he cautioned that persistent challenges remain and require urgent action. He urged leaders at all levels to not only endorse key resolutions but also ensure timely implementation to achieve measurable improvements in the health sector.

He reaffirmed WHO’s pledge to provide technical cooperation, strengthen monitoring frameworks and support data-driven accountability.

In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, described the meeting as exceptional, noting the frankness of discussions and the shared commitment to building a more resilient health system.