Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised urgent concerns about accountability in the allocation of the 2025 health budget, warning against a repeat of past scandals where public funds were allegedly “swallowed” by animals like snakes and monkeys.
His remarks come as Nigeria’s Federal Government proposes a $1.07 billion investment in primary healthcare, funded largely through foreign loans and international aid.
In recent years, Nigeria has grappled with bizarre explanations for missing public funds, including unverified claims of animals “consuming” cash.
These incidents, often dismissed without investigation, have eroded public trust. Abubakar emphasized that the health sector, already strained by reduced international aid and systemic underfunding, cannot afford similar opacity.
“Every kobo allocated must be tracked,” he stated, urging robust auditing mechanisms for the $1.07 billion earmarked for primary healthcare.
2025 Health Budget
The proposed $1.07 billion (approximately ₦1.6 trillion at current exchange rates) supplements an existing ₦2.48 trillion health sector allocation.
However, Atiku criticized the lack of detailed spending plans.
While the government claims funds will improve governance, recruit healthcare workers, and enhance services, skeptics argue vague descriptions raise red flags.
For context, Nigeria’s health sector remains underfunded by global standards, allocating just 4.6% of its 2024 budget to health – far below the 15% target set by the 2001 Abuja Declaration.
Foreign Loans
A contentious aspect of the budget is its reliance on foreign loans.
Stiku stressed that Nigerians deserve clarity on repayment terms and expenditure frameworks.
“Loans must be tied to visible outcomes,” he argued, referencing Nigeria’s rising public debt, which hit ₦121.67 trillion ($259 billion) in March 2024.
The World Bank estimates that 63% of Nigerians live in poverty, underscoring the stakes of mismanaging borrowed funds.
Infrastructure
The former vice president also questioned the absence of concrete infrastructure projects in the budget.
Nigeria’s healthcare system struggles with chronic issues like power shortages in hospitals and inadequate medical supplies. For instance, a 2023 report by Premium Times revealed that 70% of primary health centers lack reliable electricity.
Despite government claims of progress, public skepticism persists.
Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain leading causes of death in Nigeria.
The country accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 32% of malaria deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet, Atiku highlighted contradictions in funding priorities.
When the U.S. suspended HIV/AIDS aid in 2023, Nigeria’s response – a ₦5 billion ($3.5 million) allocation – was deemed insufficient against a ₦62 billion ($43 million) annual treatment gap.
Atiku urged the Tinubu administration to publish a transparent framework for health spending, subject to National Assembly oversight.
“Without accountability, this risks becoming another fraud in the name of public interest,” he cautioned.
Experts echo this sentiment: A 2024 Transparency International report ranked Nigeria 145th out of 180 countries in public sector corruption, highlighting systemic risks.
As Nigeria navigates economic challenges, transparent governance in healthcare is non-negotiable.
The 2025 budget represents an opportunity to rebuild trust, but only if accompanied by verifiable plans and rigorous oversight.
For millions of Nigerians relying on crumbling health infrastructure, the stakes have never been higher.