UNICEF Calls on Nigeria to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Health Funding
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerian authorities to reduce reliance on external funding for healthcare and prioritize local budget allocations.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rowan Khan, made this appeal in Abuja during the Primary Health Care (PHC) Memorandum of Understanding Learning and Dissemination Event. The PHC initiative, a three-year partnership involving GAVI, UNICEF, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Health, supports health system strengthening across eight states.
Khan emphasized that the U.S. administration’s recent pause on foreign aid serves as a wake-up call for Nigeria to take greater responsibility for its healthcare funding. She stressed the need for better coordination among stakeholders and resource optimization to ensure long-term sustainability.
Gombe State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Jatau, echoed this sentiment, advocating for local research and production of vaccines to reduce dependency on imports. He warned of potential donor fatigue and the risks of relying on external funding.
Jessica Crawford, GAVI’s Country Manager, praised Nigerian state governors for their commitment to strengthening PHC systems and called for continued investment to sustain these improvements. WHO’s Dr. Mya Ngon also highlighted the need to reduce zero-dose immunization rates among children and shift the focus from emergency campaigns to long-term health system strengthening.
As the PHC initiative transitions to full state ownership, experts urge Nigerian leaders to conduct thorough budget analysis, invest in local healthcare capacity, and ensure sustainable funding to safeguard the country’s health sector.
