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Lawmakers in Nigeria’s National Assembly have moved to address funding gaps affecting newly established federal hospitals, urging immediate budgetary support to ensure they become fully operational.
The appeal was made during the presentation of the harmonised report of the Senate and House Committees on Health on the 2026 budget proposals for Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The report was presented by Senator Ipalibo Banigo, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health, who said the startup funds are necessary to meet immediate operational needs, including equipment, staffing and essential supplies.
The proposed hospitals include the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia (Nasarawa State); Federal University Teaching Hospital, Akure (Ondo State); Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo (Benue State); and Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ila-Orangun (Osun State).
Banigo also reiterated the need for increased investment in the health sector, noting the government’s target of allocating six per cent of the national budget to strengthen healthcare delivery. She said the objective is to improve access to quality services by providing adequate funding for medicines, infrastructure and other critical resources.
According to the 2026 proposal, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has a total allocation of over N2.1 trillion, with capital expenditure accounting for more than N924 billion. Banigo expressed concern over delays in the release of previous budgetary allocations, stating that some institutions had received only partial disbursements under the 2024 budget.
In response, Deputy Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno,, assured lawmakers that the concerns raised would be reviewed, adding that necessary steps would be taken to support improved funding and timely implementation within the health sector.
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