The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on Nigeria to dedicate a greater share of its resources to healthcare, recommending that at least 20 per cent of the national health budget be channelled into public health financing.

The appeal was made on Thursday in Abuja by the organisation’s Regional Director, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, during the National Health Financing Dialogue themed ‘Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria.’

Janabi noted that sustainable financing remained the backbone of any resilient health system, adding that increased investment would lower out-of-pocket expenses for citizens, protect households from catastrophic health costs, and improve prepayment and pooling mechanisms.

He urged policymakers to adopt evidence-based strategies such as cost-effectiveness and equity analysis in allocating resources.

While commending Nigeria’s recent reforms, including the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and the National Health Insurance Authority Act, Janabi stressed that with over 223 million citizens, the country’s approach to financing health would determine not only the well-being of its people but also Africa’s broader development outlook.

Also speaking at the event, Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union Commission, underscored the need for Africa to leverage its resources to prioritise health security.

She pointed to the African Medicines Agency and stronger regulatory systems as crucial to preparing for pandemics, floods, and other shocks.

She praised Nigeria’s approval of $1.7 billion for the HOPE Projects, which aim to expand primary healthcare, improve governance, and strengthen nationwide service delivery.

According to her, “Nigeria’s leadership is critical, and the continent is looking up to you not to disappoint Africa.”

Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom, added that President Bola Tinubu had directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a circular mandating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022.