By JKNewsMedia
CHRONIC UNDERSFUNDING and policy gaps in Nigeria’s health sector have drawn sharp criticism as Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) called on governments to urgently address what it described as a worsening crisis.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the organisation made the call in a statement marking World Health Day 2026, warning that persistent funding shortfalls and weak policy implementation continue to undermine the country’s health system and increase its disease burden.
CAPPA cited figures from the Budget Office of the Federation showing a pattern of low releases for capital projects in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW).
Last year, only N36 million was released from the N218 billion allocated for capital projects.
It notes that a year earlier, N26.552 billion was released from the N233.656 billion earmarked for the same purpose as the organisation said the trend has continued for a decade.
Also, the group said allocations to the health sector have consistently fallen below the 15 per cent benchmark set under the Abuja Declaration, adding that even approved funds are often not fully disbursed.
It referenced a report in January in which the FMHSW lamented its inability to implement its 2025 capital budget after receiving only N36 million out of the N218 billion allocation.
“This longstanding gap between budget promises and actual releases has weakened the health system and is short-changing Nigerians,” said CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi.
“It shows up in limited access to essential medicines, overstretched facilities, a severe shortage of health workers worsened by the ‘Japa’ trend, high out of pocket costs, and a growing burden of non communicable diseases driven by unhealthy food environments.”
CAPPA said non-communicable diseases including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and heart related conditions account for about 29 per cent of annual deaths in Nigeria, placing pressure on families and the health system.
Referencing the WHD 2026 theme “Together for health Stand with science”, the organisation called for evidence-based policies, including stronger taxation on sugar sweetened beverages.
The group welcomed moves by the National Assembly to review the current N10 per litre levy and shift to a percentage-based tax tied to retail price, with part of the revenue allocated to health promotion.
“We maintain that the current SSB tax is too low to significantly reduce consumption,” Oluwafemi said. “We are calling for an increase to at least 50 per cent of the retail price, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. There is compelling evidence that stronger fiscal measures can reduce consumption while generating much needed revenue for health financing.”
CAPPA also called for complementary measures such as mandatory sodium reduction targets, front of pack labelling for processed foods, and restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children.
“These measures are critical to tackling what is now a silent epidemic of diet related diseases,” the organisation said. “Fiscal and regulatory policies that promote healthy diets remain among the most cost-effective tools available to governments.”
JKNewsMedia.com reports that CAPPA further raised concerns about tobacco use and emerging nicotine products, describing the current N13 million allocations to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) as inadequate and calling for an increase to at least N300 million.
“Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, including in Nigeria,” Oluwafemi said. “Effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act requires far greater investment than what is currently provided.”
Akinbode urged governments, policymakers and relevant agencies to increase health sector funding, ensure full and timely release of budgeted funds, adopt healthy food policies and strengthen accountability.
“Prevention must become central to Nigeria’s health strategy,” Oluwafemi added. “That means backing science with action through adequate funding and strong policies that protect public health.”
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