Nigeria’s Health Sector Near Breaking Point as Capital Spending Crashes to 0.02%

Story: written by springnewsng February 27,2026
Nigeria’s healthcare system is under severe strain following a dramatic collapse in capital expenditure releases, with funding for infrastructure and equipment falling to just 0.02% of the approved budget in 2025.
Although health sector allocations have expanded significantly—from ₦547 billion in 2021 to ₦2.48 trillion in 2026—actual cash releases for capital projects tell a different story. Data from the Budget Office show that only ₦36 million was released in 2025 out of a ₦218 billion capital allocation, marking a 99.94% plunge from the ₦65.4 billion disbursed in 2024.
The shortfall has stalled hospital upgrades, delayed equipment procurement, and slowed access to vaccines and essential medicines across Nigeria. It has also affected counterpart funding, limiting the country’s ability to tap into donor-supported health programmes.
Health Minister Muhammad Pate recently warned lawmakers that the near-zero capital releases have crippled planned infrastructure rollouts, worsening pressure on an already fragile system.
Experts say the trend reflects a deeper structural problem. While capital releases stood at ₦93.8 billion in 2021, they have declined sharply over the years, culminating in the near-total funding collapse of 2025. Public health specialists caution that without urgent corrective action, Nigeria’s weak health indicators and high disease burden could worsen.