The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has disclosed that it has received only ₦36 million out of its ₦218 billion capital allocation for the 2025 fiscal year, raising concerns over the implementation of critical health infrastructure projects nationwide.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Health, Professor Mohammed Pate, during a budget defence session with lawmakers at the National Assembly.
Professor Pate told the lawmakers that while the ministry’s personnel budget had been fully utilised, capital projects had largely stalled due to severe funding delays.
According to him, “the personnel component of the budget has been fully utilised, but capital projects are facing serious setbacks because releases have not been made.”
The minister attributed the delay to challenges associated with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation’s cash planning system, as well as delays in counterpart funding required for donor-supported programmes.
He explained that “issues around cash planning and delayed counterpart contributions have significantly affected the execution of our capital projects.”
In his response, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Amos Magaji, expressed concern over the situation and requested greater accountability on donor funding.
Magaji asked the minister to formally submit comprehensive details of donor funds received by the ministry and how such funds had been utilised, stressing the need for transparency and effective oversight.
Boluwatife Enome
About the Author
