Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to ensure accountability in the allocation and spending of funds earmarked for Nigeria’s health sector in the 2025 budget.
In a statement on Sunday, Atiku warned against mismanagement, referencing past incidents where bizarre claims were made about public funds disappearing under questionable circumstances involving animals such as snakes, monkeys, termites, and gorillas. He stressed that such a fate must not befall the $1.07 billion intervention fund for healthcare.
The former Vice President urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish clear mechanisms for transparency and public accountability, ensuring that every kobo is properly spent to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“At a time when resources are dwindling and external support for healthcare is being withdrawn, it is imperative that funds allocated to the sector be maximally utilised,” he stated.
Atiku also criticized the government for failing to provide a detailed framework on how the over $1 billion health budget would be spent. He insisted that while investment in healthcare is crucial for improving access to quality services, Nigerians deserve full disclosure on fund utilization.
He further noted that the proposed amount is in addition to the N2.48 trillion earlier allocated for healthcare in the initial budget draft, making it even more important for the government to clarify its disbursement plans.
“The Federal Government must accompany this budget with a clear policy framework outlining how the funds will be spent to ensure transparency and accountability,” Atiku added.
His remarks highlight growing concerns about financial mismanagement in Nigeria’s public sector and reinforce calls for stricter oversight in budget implementation.
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