The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $1.07 billion for healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme.
Speaking after the FEC meeting on Monday, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced that the Federal Government has also allocated ₦4.8 billion for HIV treatment. He added that the funding includes two concessional loans of $500 million each from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $70 million grant from international development partners.
Strengthening Healthcare Governance and Primary Care
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasized that the HOPE programme aligns with the administration’s agenda to strengthen human capital development. He explained that the funds will be used to improve healthcare governance and enhance primary healthcare services across Nigeria.
“This financing would support the recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare workers and teachers at the subnational level,” Pate stated.
A significant portion of the funding—$500 million—will be allocated to expanding the quality, accessibility, and resilience of the primary healthcare system, including emergency maternal and child health services.
Additionally, ₦4.8 billion has been earmarked for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs over the next four months.
“This initiative emphasizes the federal government’s commitment to providing life-saving treatment and reducing healthcare costs for vulnerable populations,” Pate added.
World Bank-Supported HOPE Programme
The HOPE programme, launched with World Bank support, was approved in September 2024 to enhance human capital development in basic education and primary healthcare. The programme includes projects aimed at strengthening governance, improving service delivery, and optimizing financial and human resource management.
A key component, HOPE-GOV (Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity: Governance Programme), is designed to:
• Enhance financial and human resource management in basic education and primary healthcare.
• Support the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme, as outlined in the Universal Basic Education Roadmap (UBER) 2021-2030.
• Implement the Basic Healthcare Provision programme under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) 2024-2028.
The programme prioritizes three key objectives:
1. Enhancing financing effectiveness in healthcare and education.
2. Improving transparency and accountability in financial management.
3. Strengthening the recruitment, deployment, and performance management of teachers and healthcare workers at all government levels.
Through this initiative, the government aims to modernize healthcare services, improve accessibility, and drive long-term human capital development in Nigeria.
