JAR 2025: Nigeria’s Health Sector Is Rising and GPN Is Helping Shape the Future

Nigeria’s Joint Annual Review (JAR) 2025 offers one of the clearest signals yet that the country’s health sector is not just reforming it is transforming.

Twenty-three months into the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), the results are becoming visible, measurable, and scalable. This year’s review brought together leaders from Federal, State, and Local Governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners under the theme:

All Hands, One Mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light

Here are the biggest takeaways and why they matter for the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

1. National Commitment to UHC Just Got Bigger

A major highlight was the signing of the updated UHC Compact Addendum, which now formally includes:

• ALGON

• Private sector innovators

• Traditional and religious institutions

This expansion signals a more unified, multi-tier ownership of health reforms a crucial step toward long-term Universal Health Coverage.

2. PHC Is Strengthening and Nigerians Are Returning to Facilities

Primary healthcare is experiencing one of its strongest rebounds in a decade:

• 10M → 37M → 45M PHC visits (2024–2025)

• 435 PHCs revitalised

• 15,000 new community health workers deployed

• 70,000 frontline workers retrained

This shows renewed public trust, improved service availability, and stronger facility performance nationwide.

3. Maternal & Newborn Health Is Improving

The MAMII initiative continues to deliver lifesaving results:

• 17% reduction in maternal deaths

• 12% reduction in neonatal deaths

• 33% boost in skilled birth attendance

Combined with NHIA’s CEmONC emergency programme, more women are getting timely, lifesaving care.

4. Health Financing Is Expanding

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has grown coverage to:

21 million Nigerians in 2025 (up from 16.2M in 2023)

Innovative schemes are tackling the most vulnerable health challenges:

• Fistula-Free Programme (FFP)

• Emergency CEmONC Coverage

Nigeria also secured $200 million in catalytic financing to sustain HIV, TB, and malaria services a major win amid global funding shifts.

5. System Integrity Is Improving

This year’s review confronted issues head-on from corruption to data manipulation in BHCPF-funded facilities. New accountability measures are being rolled out to ensure every naira translates to patient impact.

6. Nigeria Is Advancing Local Manufacturing

Through the Presidential Value Chain Initiative (PVAC), the country is strengthening local production of:

• Medicines

• Vaccines

• Diagnostics

• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

This is essential for supply security and long-term health sovereignty.

Where GPN Comes In Powering Policy, Innovation & Leadership

The momentum captured in JAR 2025 aligns strongly with the Global Policy Network’s mission of building equitable, resilient, and evidence-driven systems.

GPN is already contributing to Nigeria’s health transformation through:

• GPN Fellowship Programme

Embedding high-potential fellows within health institutions to strengthen policy leadership and implementation.

• FUTO-GPN Policy Innovation Hub

A new national engine for home-grown policy solutions, evidence translation, and innovation.

• Nigeria Medicines Policy Series

Shaping pharmaceutical system reform and supporting the shift toward domestic manufacturing.

• Upcoming Roundtables

Focused on:

• Primary Healthcare (PHC)

• Maternal & Child Health

• Equitable health financing

These will help align actors, share evidence, and accelerate reform execution.

Final Word:

The 2025 Joint Annual Review shows a system that is learning, adapting, and improving. Nigeria is moving steadily closer to Universal Health Coverage, powered by stronger governance, expanded financial protection, and a revitalised primary healthcare system.

And as the country continues to push forward, GPN stands as a committed partner, amplifying local leadership, strengthening institutions, and helping build the evidence that drives policy action.

Nigeria is rising and GPN is proud to rise with it.