Welcome to the official January roundup from our Hospital Improvement Newsletter. This is your monthly trusted source for the most critical healthcare updates, innovations, and trends impacting hospitals and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
This month, we’ve handpicked 25 essential stories that highlight pressing challenges, major reforms, equipment and device updates, and innovations reshaping Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
These were selected to help you stay informed and prepared as a healthcare leader.
🩺 Full List of Curated Healthcare Stories
- Nigeria’s Medical Tourism Spending Drops by 96.2% in 2025
Nigeria’s medical tourism expenditure fell by 96.2% in the first half of 2025. It dropped from $2.38 million in 2024 to just $0.09 million, according to a Central Bank of Nigeria report. The sharp decline is linked to several factors.
- Ondo Unveils Multi-Pronged Strategy to Curb Malaria
Ondo State has rolled out an aggressive malaria control plan. The state is distributing 2.5 million insecticide-treated nets, providing free antimalarial drugs, and expanding diagnostic testing. The government is also strengthening primary and secondary healthcare through new health worker recruitment.
- Nigeria to Host Global Conference oNigeria Faces Urgent Need for Domestic Funding as Donor Support for HIV, TB, and Malaria Declinesn Antimicrobial Resistance in 2026
With over 1.8 million Nigerians living with HIV and millions affected by TB and malaria, reliance on donor funding has long been critical for survival. In 2025, declining international support has heightened the urgency for Nigeria to increase domestic financing. Coordinating Minister of Health Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate and lawmakers emphasized transparency and accountability.
- Health Journalists Urge Review of SSB Tax, Warn of Funding Gaps in Nigeria’s Health Sector
The Association of Nigerian Health Journalists has called for a higher sugar-sweetened beverages tax, increased domestic health financing, and faster expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund amid declining donor support.
- Kano Enrolls 10,000 Cottage Traders and Street Hawkers into State Health Scheme
Kano State has enrolled 10,000 informal sector workers into the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Scheme (KSCHS). This is to expand access to affordable healthcare. Officials emphasized that the initiative protects participants from out-of-pocket medical costs, improves productivity, and advances the state’s goal of universal health coverage.
- Court Orders Reinstatement of Enugu Neuropsychiatric Hospital MD
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ruled that the termination of Professor Monday Igwe as Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, was unlawful. He is to be reinstated to complete his remaining tenure of three years and five months. The court awarded him all back pay from September 2023 and N3 million for distress and reputational damage.
- Private Investor Nears Completion of Free State-of-the-Art Hospital in Kogi
A modern hospital being built by Dr. Stephen Akpa in Ankpa, Kogi State, is about 70% complete. It aims to provide quality healthcare with free medications for patients. The project is expected to reduce long-distance travel for medical care and improve health access in the community.
- NEDC Equips Maiduguri Eye Hospital with Advanced Equipment, Trains Ophthalmologists
The North East Development Commission has installed state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment worth billions of naira at the Maiduguri Eye Hospital. They also completed a two-week intensive training for ophthalmologists and health technicians.
- FG Sets Up Committees to Resolve Resident Doctors’ Work Hour and Certification Disputes
The Federal Government has inaugurated two ministerial committees to address issues. These include excessive work hours, locum engagement practices, and residency certification issues raised by NARD. The move aims to improve doctors’ welfare, enhance patient safety, and reduce industrial unrest in the health sector.
- Ibadan Hospital CEO Urges FG to Improve Infrastructure to Curb ‘Japa’ Syndrome
Dr. Olusegun Ajisefinni, CEO of Nikzar Hospital, says many Nigerian doctors would stay if government improves medical infrastructure, primary healthcare, remuneration, and emergency transport systems. He warned that poor facilities and lack of functional ambulances worsen patient outcomes and fuel the migration of health professionals.
- FG Spends N120bn to Rehabilitate 18 Medical Schools, Expand Nursing Enrolment
The Federal Government says it has spent over N120 billion to rehabilitate 18 medical schools nationwide. It also expanded, enrolment in medicine, nursing, pharmacy and dentistry, with a plan to quadruple nursing admissions. The intervention includes new simulation laboratories, hostels, and further expansion under the 2026 TETFund cycle.
- First Lady Donates Mobile Clinics to Boost NYSC Rural Healthcare
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has donated two state-of-the-art mobile clinics to the NYSC under the Renewed Hope Initiative. This is to strengthen rural healthcare delivery, with an additional clinic given to the Taraba State Government.
- Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemic Exposes Yobe State’s Healthcare and Water Challenges
Preliminary research by Yobe State University’s BIORTC revealed toxic metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic in water sources across Bade and Jakusko LGAs. They are believed to cause chronic kidney disease and high mortality. The study highlights long-standing gaps in healthcare access, inadequate health facilities, and a lack of alternative clean water sources.
- Kaduna Governor Receives Health Sector Awards, Flags Off Medical Equipment Distribution
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State received five awards from health sector unions for revitalising healthcare and improving staff welfare. During the commissioning of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board headquarters, he distributed modern medical equipment and ambulances to PHCs.
- Tinubu Transmits 24 Health Sector Bills to Senate
President Bola Tinubu has sent 24 health-sector amendment bills to the Senate, aimed at streamlining governance, reducing bloated boards, and improving efficiency across health institutions and regulatory agencies. The bills cover teaching hospitals, specialty centres, professional councils, and agencies like NAFDAC, and have been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business.
- JOHESU Strike: NMA Laments NLC/TUC Ultimatum
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) criticized the 14-day ultimatum by the NLC and TUC. The ultimatum demanded government implementation of the 2021 CONHESS report amid the ongoing JOHESU strike. NMA described the public ultimatum as unnecessary, misleading, and likely to fuel industrial tension. It clarified that the 2014 CONMESS “upgrade” cited by unions was actually a correction of long-standing errors.
- NIDS Urges Stronger Collaboration to Tackle Infectious Diseases in Nigeria
The Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) called for enhanced intersectoral collaboration to improve prevention, detection, and control of infectious diseases. This was stated at its 16th Annual Conference in Kaduna. The society highlighted the role of AI, domestic funding, local vaccine production, workforce development, and climate-sensitive surveillance.
- Yobe State Wins National Recognition for Transforming Primary Healthcare
Nigeria’s primary healthcare system has undergone a major revival through reforms sparked by the 2019 Seattle Declaration. The Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge (PHCLC) incentivizes states to improve PHC infrastructure, staffing, immunization coverage, maternal and child health, and patient satisfaction, with annual awards totaling $6.1 million.
- Tinubu Pledges Continued Investment in Nigeria’s Healthcare Infrastructure in 2026
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to modernising healthcare alongside other critical infrastructure sectors. The pledge builds on ongoing initiatives, including the revitalisation of over 900 primary healthcare centres and funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
- Investing in Caregivers’ Lodgings Near Public Hospitals
Nigeria’s public hospitals are overcrowded, and informal caregivers often sleep in corridors or outside facilities, creating hygiene and safety risks. Experts propose purpose-built, low-cost lodgings near major hospitals to support caregivers, improve patient outcomes, and reduce hidden family costs.
- Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Strike After Intervention by Vice President
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its planned indefinite strike originally set for January 12. This followed intervention by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Tinubu. The decision was to allow time to monitor progress on key demands, including salary arrears, allowances, promotions, and work-hour regulations.
- Kwara State Partners with Global Fund, UNICEF to Revitalise Five Primary Health Care Centres
Kwara State is set to upgrade five PHC facilities through the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) Grant. The project, in collaboration with UNICEF includes building renovations, solar power installation, borehole construction, and provision of essential medical equipment.
- Nigeria Faces Urgent Need for Domestic Funding as Donor Support for HIV, TB, and Malaria Declines
With over 1.8 million Nigerians living with HIV and millions affected by TB and malaria, reliance on donor funding has long been critical for survival. In 2025, declining international support has heightened the urgency for Nigeria to increase domestic financing. Coordinating Minister of Health Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate and lawmakers emphasized transparency and accountability in the use of over $4.6 billion in Global Fund and USAID grants.
- Ogun Assembly Pledges Support for Maternal Health and Family Planning
Ogun State lawmakers and stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to improving funding and access for family planning services. This was at a policy dialogue organized by the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Family Health Initiative Ogun, and UNFPA.
- How Strikes, Funding Cuts, and Brain Drain Pushed Nigeria’s Health Sector into Crisis in 2025
Nigeria’s health sector in 2025 was crippled by prolonged health workers’ strikes, funding cuts from major donors, worsening disease outbreaks, and mass emigration of medical professionals, leaving public hospitals largely non-functional.
Why This Matters to You
Every article in this roundup reflects a shift in policy, infrastructure, innovation, or opportunity. They affect how hospitals in Nigeria can deliver quality, accessible, and efficient care. Sariva Healthcare’s Roundups exist to keep you informed and equipped to make better decisions for your facility, patients, and team.
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