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Summary
Her Excellency, Senator Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has sponsored a Bill to amend the National Health Act. The Bill seeks to double the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to 2% towards strengthening the nations health system.
Her Excellency, Senator Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has sponsored a Bill seeking to amend the National Health Act to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to 2% of the consolidated revenue fund.
While presenting the Bill, Senator Ipalibo emphasised the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s health financing system.
She noted that the BHCPF remains the country’s first statutory mechanism for sustaining health financing, but said the current 1% allocation has become inadequate amid rising service demand, stagnating donor assistance, and persistently high out-of-pocket expenditures, now over 75% of total health spending, according to the 2022 National Health Accounts.
She explained that the withdrawal of U.S. government support in key health programmes and Nigeria’s approaching transition from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, would place greater financial responsibility on the country for immunisation, maternal health, and disease control.
“Increasing the Basic Health Provision Fund from 1% to 2% of the consolidated revenue fund is a strategic and timely intervention,” Senator Banigo said, adding that the amendment would help preserve gains in child survival, epidemic preparedness, and universal access to healthcare.
The Bill advanced to its second reading in the Senate on October 29, 2025, after receiving unanimous support from lawmakers.
