Nigeria trains 78,146 health workers as insurance coverage rises to 21.7m

 

Nigeria recorded notable progress in its health sector reforms in 2025, according to the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report.

The report shows that more than 23,000 additional frontline health workers were trained during the year, increasing the total number of trained workers in the past two years to 78,146.

The 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report was made available on Saturday in Abuja.

It was produced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in accordance with the National Health Act of 2014.

The document provides a detailed evaluation of progress recorded under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, both designed to coordinate investments and reforms across the health sector.

According to the report, the number of trained frontline health workers represents 65 per cent of the Federal Government’s target of 120,000 workers, aimed at strengthening service delivery, especially at primary healthcare facilities.

The report also highlighted improvements in financial protection for Nigerians through expanded health insurance coverage.

It stated that the number of Nigerians covered by any form of health insurance increased from 19.2 million in 2024 to 21.7 million in 2025, representing about 13 per cent national coverage.

The report further revealed that the government secured a presidential commitment for the full implementation of mandatory health insurance.

It added that capitation and fee-for-service payments were increased by 93 per cent and 378 per cent, respectively, to reflect current economic realities and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services.

The report also noted that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund 2.0, launched in October 2025 with improved fiduciary and operational reforms, had enrolled about 2.7 million Nigerians by the fourth quarter of the year.

On maternal and newborn health services, the report stated that the National Health Insurance Authority signed memoranda of understanding with more than 200 health facilities to expand access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) for poor and vulnerable women.

It revealed that CEmONC services reached 19,270 women nationwide, while 20,486 claims were reimbursed to 186 facilities, with 242 facilities across the country empanelled under the maternal component.

The neonatal component of the programme was also launched in seven facilities in Kano and Lagos in September 2025, it added.

Emergency medical response services were also strengthened during the year, with the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System responding to 26,431 maternal emergencies nationwide, according to the report.

In addition, the Rural Emergency Services for Maternal and Newborn Transport initiative assisted 34,331 pregnant women and newborns in 124 local government areas through dedicated rural transport systems.

The report also highlighted gains in disease prevention and treatment programmes.

Nigeria began the implementation of the malaria vaccine in Bayelsa and Kebbi states, marking a significant step in malaria control efforts.

Similarly, the HIV programme maintained treatment coverage above 87 per cent and viral suppression above 95 per cent, contributing to a continued decline in new infections.

In the area of health security, the Federal Government launched the second National Action Plan on Health Security, aimed at integrating disease surveillance, immunisation and veterinary services into a coordinated emergency response framework.

The government also introduced the MSDAT digital platform to host interactive dashboards for monitoring health system performance and quality of care.

On strengthening the health value chain, the report indicated progress in local manufacturing of health products.

It disclosed that tax waivers exceeding six billion Naira were implemented under the Presidential Executive Order on Health Products, benefiting 47 pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Nigeria also inaugurated new facilities, including a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) factory by Codix Bio and a syringe manufacturing plant with a daily production capacity of 750,000 units.

According to the report, 37 pharmaceutical facilities are currently undergoing upgrades to meet international Good Manufacturing Practice standards, while 38 per cent of publicly procured medicines and health commodities are sourced locally.

To strengthen medicine supply chains and curb the circulation of counterfeit drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control seized and destroyed over one trillion Naira worth of banned, expired and substandard medical products in 2025.

The report stated that these efforts form part of broader reforms aimed at improving governance, financing and service delivery under the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027).

It said the reforms focus on improving maternal and child health, accelerating immunisation, expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening the health workforce, improving supply chains and enhancing pandemic preparedness.