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The Federal Government, via the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has revealed its plan to revitalize over 901 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) throughout Nigeria.
Additionally, there is a proposal to upgrade 2,701 more PHCs to ensure that each ward in the country has at least one fully operational healthcare centre.
During the agency’s first quarterly news conference for 2025 held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, elaborated on the initiative, which falls under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme and the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.
Aina highlighted that the NPHCDA has developed a three-pillar strategy focused on bolstering the PHC system, reinstating public trust in healthcare services, and enhancing the nation’s frontline health security.
“Our objective is to rebuild confidence in our health system, ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of their location, have access to quality and functional primary health care,” he stated.
The agency has conducted assessments of over 18,000 PHCs nationwide and identified areas for service improvement, which are being addressed through increased federal funding and collaborations with states and development partners.
To enhance support, the agency plans to boost the number of PHCs funded under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 8,406 to 17,600. High-performing PHCs will now receive N800,000 quarterly, while those with lower operations will receive N600,000, a rise from the previous uniform N300,000 rate.
Aina also presented new digital tracking and accountability tools, including a real-time public dashboard for monitoring PHC status (https://phc.nphcda.gov.ng) and a digital financial management application that is currently being piloted in four states.
He indicated that these tools are designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in PHC operations.
Key components of the plan encompass the introduction of a digital financial management system for better fund utilization and reporting across PHCs; expanded access to BHCPF’s four gateways NPHCDA, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) for infrastructure development, health security, and emergency response; a pledge to use one billion dollars raised by the Federal Government for PHC revitalization in an accountable manner; and the application of funding models that consider the capacity and service volume of PHCs, alongside enhanced workforce development and state partnerships to guarantee skilled staffing.
Aina reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to reaching every child and community with lifesaving vaccines, coinciding with Nigeria's observance of African Vaccination Week 2025.
He underscored the theme, “Immunisation for All is Humanity Possible,” urging citizens and the media to utilize the public dashboard to track PHC progress and promote transparency within the national health delivery framework.
Dr. Eshetu Wassie, who heads the Expanded Programme on Immunisation at WHO, reaffirmed that immunization is not only essential to primary health care but is a fundamental human right.
He pointed out the effectiveness of vaccines, which have protected over 154 million lives in the past five decades.
“As we gather for 2025 and African Vaccination Week, I encourage all stakeholders governments, partners, health workers, communities, and the media to recommit to this critical mission,” Wassie stated.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, stressed the importance of reaching the most vulnerable segments of the population.
She pointed out that one in three infants worldwide remain unreached, with “zero-dose” children being the most at risk.
Munduate called for stronger partnerships, increased domestic funding, and community-focused solutions to tackle obstacles like insecurity and vaccine accessibility.
“I urge the media to collaborate with us, not to spread misinformation, but to foster confidence in vaccines and ensure that no child is excluded,” she concluded.
