BudgIT Foundation, through its Tracka initiative, has filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare regarding the third-round funding disbursement of ₦32.9 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The civic organisation said it seeks full disclosure of how the funds are being distributed to over 8,000 health facilities across the country.
In the letter dated October 23, 2025, and addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, BudgIT requested detailed data on the disbursement process. The organisation asked for “the complete list of the 8,000+ health facilities that are meant to benefit from the recent third-round funding amounting to ₦32.9 billion,” along with their precise locations and “the amount allocated and disbursed to each of the 8,000 facilities.”
Tracka, a programme under BudgIT, stated that the request was made “pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.” The organisation explained that the purpose of the inquiry is to promote transparency and accountability in the implementation of the BHCPF, adding that citizens deserve access to verifiable information on how health funds are utilised.
According to the FOI request, “all things being equal, ₦50.6 million per 774 LGAs or ₦4.9 million per 8,000 facilities are mere speculative figures; Nigerians need to get the facts and figures to #FollowTheMoney.” BudgIT added that the information could be shared in soft or hard copy, preferably in a machine-readable format such as Excel or CSV, to enable efficient tracking of fund usage.
The letter signed by Osiyemi Joshua, Head of Tracka, read: “We are committed to driving transparency and accountability in this important project, ensuring that funds are effectively utilised for the intended purpose of improving primary healthcare delivery. We believe that access to this information will enable us to continue our oversight role and contribute positively to the success of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund initiative.”
The organisation requested that a response be issued within seven days as stipulated by the FOI Act. It also provided contact details including its Abuja office and official email address for correspondence.
This request follows the earlier report by Nigeriastartupact.ng that the Federal Government had launched the BHCPF Guideline 2.0, which aims to institutionalise performance-based financing and accountability in health funding. Prof. Muhammad Pate had stated that the ₦32.9 billion allocation would be disbursed to states and facilities before the end of October, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for transparency and effective use of public resources.
“In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge for transparency, accountability, and efficient use of public and partner resources, the Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee for the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative met to review collective progress in strengthening Nigeria’s health system,” Pate said in an earlier statement.
He noted that the Initiative, launched in 2023, has improved healthcare delivery across the country. “In the first two quarters of 2025, over 80 million visits were recorded at primary health facilities, four times more than in 2023. More than 21 million Nigerians are covered under health insurance, over 11,000 pregnant women have received emergency care, and 15,000 benefited from obstetric treatment,” he said.
The minister added that “facility data show a 12 percent drop in maternal mortality” while preventive health outcomes have improved, with major campaigns on measles, rubella, polio, and neglected tropical diseases achieving strong coverage in northern states.
Prof. Pate confirmed that the BHCPF-supported facilities would expand from 8,800 to 13,000 and later to 17,000 through the HOPE Programme. Facility allocations were also increased from ₦300,750 to between ₦600,000 and ₦800,000 per quarter.
He explained that “a Joint Task Force with ICP Nigeria has been activated to monitor fund utilisation at both facility and community levels, ensuring that public resources directly translate to improved services for Nigerians.”
Pate also mentioned ongoing reforms for data accuracy, noting that “instances of overreporting of maternal and child deaths are being addressed through improved verification systems, digital reporting, and integration of NINs into health records.”
BudgIT’s latest FOI request builds on these government claims, urging full disclosure of how the ₦32.9 billion is distributed and monitored. The organisation said it is waiting for an official response from the Ministry to confirm whether the funds have reached all designated facilities and are being used as intended.
Attached below is a copy of the FOI request.
