FG Calls for Stronger Public-Private Partnerships to Drive Healthcare Financing and Local Manufacturing

LAGOS, Nigeria –The Federal Government has renewed its call for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock sustainable healthcare financing, boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and improve access to quality healthcare services across Nigeria.

The call was made by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, during the opening ceremony of the FCMB Healthcare Summit 2026 held in Lagos on Monday.

Addressing participants, Dr. Salako said recent reforms in Nigeria's health sector have created a more attractive environment for investment. He urged financial institutions, healthcare providers, investors, and development partners to work closely with government in accelerating the transformation of the country's healthcare system.

"Government cannot build Nigeria's healthcare future on public financing alone, and the private sector cannot do so without the policy certainty, risk-sharing instruments and guaranteed demand that only government can provide," the Minister said.

According to Dr. Salako, key reforms under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) are providing greater policy certainty while opening new opportunities for private investment in healthcare.

He disclosed that of the ₦339 billion disbursed through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund since its inception, ₦235 billion has been released within the last three years under the current administration. The latest disbursement of ₦32.9 billion is currently supporting more than 8,300 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide, strengthening access to essential primary healthcare services.

The Minister also revealed that health insurance enrolment has now exceeded 22 million Nigerians, reflecting continued implementation of the NHIA Act and ongoing efforts to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending through expanded financial protection and mandatory health insurance coverage.

On local manufacturing, Dr. Salako said the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain is accelerating domestic production of medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices through targeted incentives, strategic procurement reforms, and improved access to long-term financing. He added that complementary initiatives such as Medipool are further improving market confidence and creating a more supportive environment for local manufacturers.

Dr. Salako welcomed the launch of the FCMB Dedicated Healthcare Fund, describing it as an important milestone in mobilising private-sector investment for healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical manufacturing. He noted that the initiative complements existing financing interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry, and other development finance institutions.

He further encouraged investors and healthcare providers to strengthen corporate governance, embrace blended financing models, and prioritise investments that advance universal health coverage, local manufacturing, and resilient health systems.

Reaffirming the Federal Government's commitment to healthcare reform, Dr. Salako said the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will continue implementing policies that strengthen healthcare financing, expand local manufacturing capacity, and build a resilient health system capable of delivering better health outcomes for all Nigerians.

The Minister's remarks underscore the Federal Government's growing emphasis on partnerships with the private sector as a critical strategy for addressing Nigeria's healthcare financing gap and achieving sustainable improvements in health service delivery.