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The Senate has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sign into law the amendment bill seeking to increase Nigeria’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). The assurance was given by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Senator Ipalibo Banigo, during a meeting with health sector stakeholders in Abuja. 
According to Banigo, the existing one per cent allocation under the 2014 National Health Act is no longer sufficient due to Nigeria’s growing population, rising healthcare demands, and the increasing burden of preventable diseases. She explained that the proposed increase would significantly strengthen primary healthcare services across all 774 local government areas, improve immunisation programmes, and expand access to healthcare for women, children, and underserved communities. 
The senator also noted that the fund supports agencies such as the National Health Insurance Authority and disease control programmes, stressing that improved financing has become even more critical as Nigeria faces reduced international donor support for healthcare interventions. Health advocates and civil society organisations have described the amendment as a major breakthrough that could reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and improve the country’s overall healthcare system. 
The bill, which recently passed the Senate after months of advocacy and committee reviews, is expected to proceed to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being transmitted to President Tinubu for assent. Banigo expressed optimism that the President, whom she described as “health-positive,” would approve the legislation once it reaches his desk. 
