The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced notable progress in Nigeria’s health sector in 2025, revealing that more than 23,000 additional frontline health workers were trained during the year.
This brings the total number of trained health workers over the past two years to 78,146.
This was contained in the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report, released on Saturday in Abuja. The report offers a broad review of achievements recorded under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, which coordinates health sector investments and reforms.
According to the report, the trained workers account for 65 per cent of the Federal Government’s target of 120,000 personnel aimed at improving service delivery, especially in primary healthcare facilities.
The report said, “The trained frontline health workers represent 65 per cent of the federal government’s target of 120,000, with the aim of strengthening service delivery, particularly at primary healthcare facilities.”
The document also pointed to improvements in financial protection for citizens through expanded health insurance coverage. Enrollment increased from “19.2 million in 2024 to 21.7 million in 2025”, representing roughly 13 per cent national coverage.
It also highlighted renewed government commitment to the programme.
“The government secured a presidential commitment for the full implementation of mandatory health insurance,” the report said.
In addition, capitation and fee-for-service payments were increased by 93 per cent and 378 per cent respectively “to reflect prevailing economic realities and ensure sustainability of care,” the report added.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund 2.0, introduced in October 2025 with improved fiduciary and operational reforms, enrolled about 2.7 million Nigerians by the fourth quarter of the year.
In the area of maternal and newborn healthcare, the report disclosed that memoranda of understanding were signed with more than 200 health facilities to expand access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) for poor and vulnerable women.
“CEmONC services reached 19,270 women nationwide, with 20,486 claims reimbursed to 186 facilities, while 242 facilities across the country were empanelled under the maternal component,” the report stated.
The neonatal component of the initiative was launched in September 2025 in seven health facilities located in Kano and Lagos states.
Emergency response systems were also strengthened, with the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System responding to 26,431 maternal emergencies across the country. In addition, the Rural Emergency Services for Maternal and Newborn Transport initiative supported 34,331 pregnant women and newborns in 124 local government areas.
On disease prevention efforts, the report stated:
“Nigeria began implementation of the malaria vaccine in Bayelsa and Kebbi states, marking a major milestone in malaria control efforts.”
The country’s HIV programme also maintained treatment coverage above 87 per cent, with viral suppression remaining above 95 per cent, contributing to a steady reduction in new infections.
Regarding health security, the Federal Government launched the second National Action Plan on Health Security. The initiative integrates disease surveillance, immunisation and veterinary services into a unified emergency response system. In addition, the MSDAT digital platform was introduced to provide interactive dashboards for monitoring health system performance and the quality of healthcare delivery.
The report also highlighted efforts to strengthen local production of medical products.
“Tax waivers to the tune of over six billion Naira were implemented under the Presidential Executive Order on Health Products, benefitting 47 pharmaceutical manufacturers.”
Among new developments are a Rapid Diagnostic Test factory established by Codix Bio and a syringe manufacturing facility capable of producing 750,000 units daily. Currently, 37 pharmaceutical facilities are being upgraded to meet international Good Manufacturing Practice standards, while 38 per cent of medicines and health commodities procured by the public sector are sourced locally.
To address the circulation of counterfeit drugs and improve medicine supply chains, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control confiscated and destroyed banned, expired and substandard medical products worth more than one trillion Naira in 2025.
The report explained that these reforms form part of wider initiatives under the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027), which focuses on improving governance, financing and healthcare service delivery nationwide.
Priority areas include maternal and child health, immunisation programmes, expansion of health insurance, workforce development, strengthening supply chains and improving preparedness for future pandemics.