Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
The Federal Government has released N68 billion to fund vaccines and deployed N50 billion to settle outstanding arrears for health workers, officials announced on Thursday.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed the funding at the 66th National Council on Health meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, themed “My health, my right: Accelerating universal health coverage through equity, resilience, and innovation.”
Pate said the N68 billion had already been credited to the National Primary Health Care Agency account, with the Central Bank of Nigeria set to process the funds for UNICEF. The N50 billion is intended to clear pending payments to health workers across the country.
The National Council on Health, a high-level governance body, brings together federal and state health leaders to review policies, track progress, and plan strategic interventions for the sector.
Highlighting the importance of effective resource use, Pate urged federal and state authorities to channel the funds toward strengthening primary healthcare and advancing Nigeria’s Universal Health Coverage goals.
“The timely release of these funds reflects the government’s commitment to improving health services and ensuring vaccines reach every community,” he said, adding that collaboration between governments and partners remains crucial to safeguarding public health.
