The Federal Government has enlisted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor and track the utilisation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) across the country, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the health sector.
This was disclosed on Monday by Dr. Dakum Benji, a member of the Ministerial Oversight Committee and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Secretariat, during a one-day onboarding workshop for State Oversight Committees of the BHCPF in the North-East region held in Bauchi.
Benji explained that the move aligns with the directive of the Coordinating Minister of Health, who mandated that the management of the fund must be transparent and traceable from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the grassroots health facilities.
“Implementation, ownership, and accountability must begin from the source and end at the facility level,” Benji said. “Citizens are also encouraged to report commendations, criticisms, or cases of misconduct to help strengthen accountability.”
He noted that civil society organisations and community groups remain crucial in monitoring fund utilisation to ensure that resources are properly deployed and that citizens take ownership of developments within their local health centres.
Benji also urged private foundations and development partners—including the Dangote Foundation and others—to contribute to the healthcare funding pool in order to enhance service delivery.
Established under the National Health Act of 2014, the BHCPF is financed by at least one percent of the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, with additional support from donors and partners. While the funds belong to the Federal Government, states must provide counterpart funding to access allocations as stipulated in the revised BHCPF guidelines.
“By the end of this workshop, we expect states to have stronger oversight mechanisms for full and effective implementation of BHCPF 2.0,” Benji added. “The ultimate goal is to make primary healthcare services more functional, accessible, and affordable for Nigerians, particularly those in vulnerable communities.”
He expressed optimism that with ICPC’s involvement, improved community oversight, and regular monitoring, Nigeria will witness significant improvements in primary healthcare delivery and a reduction in drug shortages at health centres nationwide.
Also speaking, Ashiru Adamu, Technical Assistant to the Coordinating Minister of Health on Governance, Coordination, and State Engagement, said the Federal Government had introduced stricter accountability measures to enhance the management of the fund.
Adamu lamented that despite the disbursement of BHCPF funds to states and health facilities since 2019, the impact on the health system had been below expectations.
“From 2019 to early 2023, funds were released, but not with the level of efficiency required to drive significant change in the health sector,” he said. “Upon assumption of office, the Coordinating Minister of Health, acting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, ordered a comprehensive review which exposed key operational challenges.”
He revealed that under the new BHCPF guidelines, the disbursement process has been improved—nearly doubling the amount received by facilities per quarter—while embedding stronger accountability and transparency mechanisms.
Adamu recalled that following the launch of the new guideline last week, the Minister issued a “Red Letter” reiterating the government’s commitment to openness and efficiency in managing the fund.
“These funds belong to every Nigerian. Accountability is not just for ministers or commissioners—it is a shared responsibility. Citizens must track, trace, and question how funds are used in their local health facilities,” he stated.
According to him, only five BHCPF oversight meetings were held between 2019 and 2023, but under the current administration, disbursements have become more regular. He, however, urged continued vigilance from citizens and civil society groups to deepen accountability.
Adamu further explained that the BHCPF operates through four funding gateways:
- National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)
- National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
- Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)
- Emergency Medical Treatment Gateway
He emphasised that funds disbursed through the NPHCDA and NHIA reach facilities via state primary healthcare boards and state health insurance agencies, and that all records of disbursements would soon be made public.
“No facility has the right to conceal information on fund allocation. These are public resources meant to improve healthcare for Nigerians,” Adamu stressed.
