Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sounded the alarm over the allocation of $1.07 billion to the health sector in Nigeria’s 2025 budget, urging the government to ensure the funds are used effectively to improve healthcare services.
Atiku’s warning comes amid concerns about Nigeria’s history of unaccounted public spending, including past claims that animals like snakes, termites, and monkeys were responsible for the disappearance of public funds.
In a statement, Atiku stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the utilization of the health budget, particularly as the country faces dwindling resources and the withdrawal of international support in some healthcare areas.
“It is critical that every kobo budgeted for the health sector is utilized effectively, especially in the face of dwindling resources and the withdrawal of international support in some areas of healthcare services,” he said.
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The former vice president criticized the Federal Government for failing to provide a detailed plan on how the $1.07 billion earmarked for primary healthcare will be spent. This amount is in addition to the N2.48 trillion already proposed in the health budget. Atiku noted that a significant portion of the health sector funding comes from foreign loans, making it imperative for Nigerians to understand how the borrowed funds will be utilized.
“These funds must be expended transparently, with clear policies that explain their utilization,” Atiku argued. He expressed concern over the lack of specific commitments to infrastructure development, describing it as a red flag. “The state of our tertiary hospitals remains abysmal, with many lacking basic necessities such as a steady supply of electricity,” he said.
Atiku also highlighted the urgent need to address diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, which remain major challenges in the primary healthcare sector. He criticized the Tinubu administration for its inadequate response to the withdrawal of U.S. aid for HIV/AIDS treatment, noting that only N5 billion was allocated as a countermeasure.
“If this administration fails to demonstrate transparency and accountability, it risks being seen as committing fraud under the guise of public interest,” Atiku warned. He called on the Federal Government to provide a detailed framework for the use of the health sector budget and ensure that the appropriations are subjected to National Assembly scrutiny.
Atiku’s remarks underscore the growing demand for accountability in public spending, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare. As Nigeria grapples with a struggling healthcare system, the former vice president’s warning serves as a reminder of the need for transparency to ensure that the allocated funds truly benefit the people.