Allocate 15% of 2025 budget to health sector, foundation tells n’assembly

AdvoKC Foundation, a civil society organisation (CSO), has called on the national assembly to allocate at least 15 percent of the 2025 budget to the health sector in line with the Abuja declaration.

The Abuja Declaration of 2001 is a commitment by African Union (AU) countries to allocate at least 15 percent of their nations’ budgets every year to the health sector.

However, Nigeria has not been able to meet the declaration in its budgetary allocation to the health sector.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the organisation said that despite a commitment in the revised legislative agenda of the 10th house of representatives to “allocate a higher percentage of the national budget to the health sector,” only five percent of the 2024 budget was allocated to the health sector.

The group lamented that the proposed 2025 budget has also reduced the allocation to 4.81 percent, adding that the development “raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing critical health challenges”.

“In Nigeria, the maternal mortality rate stands at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest globally. Also, life expectancy is just 55 years, ranking among the lowest in the world,” the statement reads.

“Additionally, out-of-pocket health expenditures have increased significantly in recent years, accounting for 70 percent of total healthcare spending, pushing millions into financial hardship.

“The chronic underfunding of the health sector hampers Nigeria’s ability to combat diseases, improve healthcare infrastructure, and provide essential services, particularly for rural and underserved populations.”

Habib Sheidu, the AdvoKC Foundation project coordinator, said the Abuja declaration is a promise to every Nigerian that their health would be prioritised.

“Yet, two decades later, we are far from that reality,” Sheidu said.

“Allocating at least 15 percent of the national budget to health is not just a financial obligation; it is a life-saving necessity.”

“With only 5 percent of the national budget allocated to health in 2024, Nigeria continues to face alarming health indicators.”

Abiola Durodola, executive director of AdvoKC Foundation, urged the national assembly to fulfil its pledge to improve healthcare by increasing the 2025 health budget allocation to at least 15 percent.

“This increase would not just align with the Abuja Declaration; it will further reposition our health sector and make Nigeria a leader in health investment across Africa,” Durodola said.