Out of the ₦218 billion capital budget for the 2025 fiscal year, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed that it has only received ₦36 million, which raises worries about the execution of vital health infrastructure projects across the country.
Professor Mohammed Pate, the Health Minister, revealed the revelation to members of the National Assembly during a budget defense session.
While the ministry’s personnel budget had been used up in whole, Professor Pate informed the MPs that capital projects had mostly stopped because of significant funding delays.
“The budget’s personnel component has been fully utilized, but capital projects are facing significant setbacks due to non-releases,” he said.
In addition to delays in counterpart funds needed for donor-supported programs, the minister ascribed the delay to issues with the cash planning system of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
“Cash planning issues and delayed counterpart contributions have significantly affected the execution of our capital projects,” he explained.
Concerned about the issue, Amos Magaji, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, responded by calling for more responsibility regarding donor financing.
Emphasizing the necessity for openness and efficient oversight, Magaji requested that the minister formally disclose detailed information about donor funds received by the ministry and how they were used.
