President Bola Tinubu has promised to strengthen primary healthcare services for poorer Nigerians as part of his administration’s efforts to reduce poverty and improve living conditions.

Mr Tinubu, in a televised address marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, said his administration would work with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and other essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on.

“That is why, working with our states and local governments, we will continue to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and the essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on most,” he said.

The promise comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, with recent assessments and PREMIUM TIMES investigations documenting shortages of health workers, poor infrastructure, inadequate equipment and gaps in basic utilities at several facilities.

PHCs face staffing, infrastructure gaps

A recent assessment of 1,480 primary healthcare centres across 16 states found that 97 per cent of the facilities failed to meet the national minimum staffing requirement.

The assessment, conducted between October 2023 and June 2025 by Orodata Science and Civic Tech, covered 277 local government areas across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Only three per cent of the facilities assessed met the national minimum staffing requirement, while 11 of the 16 states had no assessed PHC that met the standard.

The assessment also found that 40 per cent of the facilities had broken ceilings or leaking roofs, while 38 per cent operated without electricity.

Another 39 per cent relied on unsafe water sources, while 75 per cent lacked essential neonatal resuscitation equipment.

About 75 per cent of the PHCs assessed were located in rural communities, where such facilities often serve as the first, and sometimes only, formal source of healthcare for residents, the report said.

PREMIUM TIMES’ recent investigation into rural PHCs in Osun State also found that challenges persisted at some facilities despite government spending and interventions aimed at revitalising primary healthcare.

The investigation across three PHCs found problems including deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate staffing, limited equipment and gaps in essential services.

Increase in PHC financing

The federal government has, however, reported increased funding for primary healthcare under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

In June, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said N339 billion had been disbursed to states through the BHCPF since its establishment in 2014, with N235 billion of the amount disbursed in the three years of the Tinubu administration.

Mr Pate said the increased funding reflected intensified investment in primary healthcare and had helped expand access to essential health services.

He said more than 8,000 PHCs across the 36 states were receiving funding through the BHCPF gateways, while assessments were underway to increase the number of supported facilities to 17,600 nationwide.

The government has also launched the Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme (HOPE-PHC), a $570 million programme designed to strengthen primary healthcare as part of a wider human capital development and poverty-reduction initiative.

The link between healthcare and poverty reduction

In his address, Mr Tinubu acknowledged that millions of Nigerians still struggle to meet basic needs, including healthcare costs.

“I am also conscious that millions of our fellow citizens cannot wait for tomorrow. Some Nigerian families still struggle today for the next meal, the next school fee, the next medical bill, or simply enough money to get to work,” he said.

ALSO READ: FG approves N32 billion for BHCPF to strengthen primary healthcare services 

He said the difficulties facing vulnerable Nigerians were not created by the economic reforms of the last three years but were the accumulated consequences of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunities and institutions that had often failed those who needed them most.

Mr Tinubu said his administration could not erase in four years problems that had accumulated over generations but could change their course.

“We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way,” he said.

He said the government was strengthening direct support for poor households and improving the National Social Register so that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence anniversary, calling for renewed commitment to nation-building and greater investment in young people through grassroots sports.

Adeboye said Nigeria’s Independence anniversary should provide an opportunity not only to celebrate the country’s journey but also to reflect on the responsibility of every citizen and institution to contribute towards building a stronger nation.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places significant emphasis on youth opportunities and grassroots inclusion, while the President has also directed reforms aimed at strengthening development pathways and accountability within Nigerian football.

According to Adeboye, sports remains one of Nigeria’s strongest instruments for national unity, youth empowerment and international recognition, making grassroots development particularly important to the country’s future.

“As Nigeria celebrates 66 years of Independence, we must remember that nation-building is a collective responsibility. Everyone has a role to play, and from our own responsibility in grassroots sports development, we must continue creating opportunities that allow young Nigerians to discover their talents, develop their potential and contribute positively to the country,” Adeboye said.

The Presidential aide said the administration’s renewed attention to sports provides an opportunity to establish sustainable structures capable of identifying and developing talents from communities and schools across the federation.

President Tinubu has previously described young Nigerians as an important driver of the country’s future, identifying sports among the sectors through which his administration is seeking to expand opportunities for them.

Adeboye said Nigeria’s sporting history demonstrates how athletes from modest backgrounds can become national heroes when provided with the right opportunities.

“Every champion begins somewhere. Many of the athletes who have carried our flag proudly around the world started from schools, streets and community competitions. Our responsibility is to ensure that the next generation has an even clearer pathway from the grassroots to the podium,” he said.

He added that sports should increasingly be viewed beyond medals and trophies, stressing its capacity to create employment, promote discipline, strengthen communities and provide productive opportunities for Nigeria’s youthful population.

Adeboye also called for greater collaboration among federal and state governments, local councils, schools, sporting federations, communities and the private sector in developing facilities and competitions at the grassroots.

He said the Office of the SSA would continue working towards initiatives capable of taking sporting opportunities closer to young Nigerians and strengthening talent discovery nationwide.

“At 66, our message is one of hope, unity and responsibility,” Adeboye said. “We have challenges, but we also have extraordinary human potential. Through sports, we can unite our people, empower our youth and build champions who will carry Nigeria’s flag with pride.”

He wished President Tinubu, Nigerian athletes, sports stakeholders and citizens at home and in the diaspora a peaceful 66th Independence anniversary, urging Nigerians to continue believing in the possibilities of the country.