As the world marks World Health Day 2026, former, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has criticised Nigeria’s healthcare system, highlighting severe gaps in funding and performance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi said Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people, continues to struggle with one of the weakest healthcare systems globally, describing its primary healthcare structure as “almost comatose”.
He noted that Nigeria still records worse infant mortality outcomes than India, despite India’s larger population. He also raised concern that health insurance coverage in Nigeria remains below five per cent, describing the figures as evidence of misplaced national priorities.
Obi further criticised the level of funding allocated to the health sector, citing disclosures from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. According to him, only about ₦36 million has been released from the ₦218 billion earmarked for healthcare capital expenditure, a situation he described as deeply troubling.
He also compared health funding with other national expenditures, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission had projected over ₦135 billion for election-related legal expenses, far higher than what has been disbursed for primary healthcare.
The former governor stressed that the same underfunded primary healthcare system is expected to serve millions of Nigerians and support major health institutions, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and others across the country.
He warned that continued neglect of the health sector threatens national well-being, adding that a country that prioritises electoral disputes over healthcare risks undermining the welfare of its citizens.
