Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against the possible mismanagement of the $1.07 billion allocated to Nigeria’s health sector in the 2025 budget, urging the government to ensure transparency and accountability in its use.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, highlighted Nigeria’s history of public fund misappropriation and stressed the need for clear policies that outline how the funds will be utilized.
“These funds must be managed transparently, with well-defined guidelines on their usage,” Atiku stated, referencing past scandals where public funds allegedly went missing under questionable circumstances.
Concerns Over Foreign Loans and Lack of Clear Plans
Atiku’s concerns stem from the fact that a significant portion of the health sector budget is being sourced from foreign loans, making it crucial for Nigerians to understand exactly how the borrowed money will be spent.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved funds from the International Development Fund to tackle various challenges in the health sector, particularly in primary healthcare. However, Atiku criticized the government for failing to provide a detailed breakdown of how the funds would be used.
“It is essential that every naira allocated to healthcare is spent efficiently, especially as the country faces economic challenges and a decline in international aid for healthcare services,” he added.
Atiku Questions Government Priorities in Healthcare
Atiku also criticized the administration’s priorities, questioning why there was no commitment to building healthcare infrastructure, despite the budgeted funds.
“Nigerians are aware that many of our teaching hospitals still lack basic amenities like a stable power supply,” he said. He noted that malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain major health concerns in Nigeria, yet the government has not explained how the budget will address these issues effectively.
Furthermore, Atiku slammed the Tinubu administration’s response to the U.S. government’s withdrawal of HIV/AIDS treatment aid, pointing out that the government only allocated N5 billion as a replacement—an amount he described as inadequate given the scale of the problem.
Call for Transparency and Legislative Oversight
He urged the government to release a comprehensive framework for how the health budget will be used and to allow the National Assembly to scrutinize the spending plan to ensure it is not mismanaged.
“If this administration fails to uphold transparency and accountability, it risks being seen as engaging in fraud under the guise of public interest,” Atiku warned.
With growing concerns about Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system, Atiku’s remarks have put pressure on the government to provide clearer details on how the $1.07 billion allocation will directly benefit the healthcare sector and ensure that the funds do not end up mismanaged or misappropriated.
