The Federal Government has announced plans to raise nearly $150 billion to fund vaccine procurement and distribution across Nigeria for the years 2025 and 2026.
(DDM) – The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Health Sector held in Abuja.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the review was themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.” The annual event brought together health stakeholders, government officials, and development partners to assess progress and align national priorities in the sector.
Edun emphasized that the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and other critical health interventions.
He explained that the $150 billion funding would cover vaccine acquisition, logistics for distribution, and system-strengthening initiatives designed to boost immunization coverage across all regions of the country.
“Nigeria is seeking to raise nearly $150 billion to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026. This investment is essential to protect our citizens, particularly children and vulnerable groups, from preventable diseases,” the minister stated.
Edun reaffirmed that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes universal healthcare access and affordability.
According to him, the government is determined to collaborate with both local and international partners to achieve comprehensive vaccine availability and improve the resilience of Nigeria’s public health system.
He stressed that transparency and collaboration remain vital to closing financing gaps in the sector. “Government agencies, private sector partners, and donor organizations must work together to ensure the sustainability of our healthcare financing reforms,” Edun said.
The minister also highlighted that the vaccine procurement initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s health architecture through investments in primary healthcare, infrastructure development, and workforce capacity building.
Stakeholders at the event, including representatives of development agencies and civil society organizations, commended the government’s renewed focus on vaccine equity and health financing reforms.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s health security goals and ensuring that vaccines reach every community, regardless of geography or income level.
The Joint Annual Review (JAR), established as an accountability platform for Nigeria’s health sector, plays a key role in evaluating policy implementation, identifying gaps, and setting future targets for national health improvement.
This year’s session also featured presentations on healthcare financing, disease prevention, immunization coverage, and digital health expansion, reflecting Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernize its healthcare delivery system
Observers noted that the proposed $150 billion vaccine funding could mark one of the most ambitious health financing drives in Nigeria’s recent history, potentially transforming public health outcomes and reducing preventable disease burdens nationwide.
If implemented successfully, experts believe the initiative could significantly advance the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
