By Muhammad Amaan
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently release the N200 million allocated for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in2025 approved national budget.
The group in a statement by AHBN Founder and CEO, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, said releasing the funds on time is critical to protecting public health and improving hygiene and safety standards in health facilities across the country.
AHBN also commended the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for including the funding in the 2025 Approved Budget.
The allocation is captured under the budget line titled “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention/IPC,” with the code ERGP25217466.
“This marks a big step forward in supporting Nigeria’s national IPC efforts and advancing its health security goals, Dr Magashi said.
The AHBN also acknowledged and appreciates the role of AFENET and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), for their technical support and funding during the advocacy efforts that led to the reinstatement of the IPC budget line after it had been excluded in the 2024 fiscal year.
Dr Magashi explained that with support from the partners, AHBN led sustained advocacy, including engagement with the Budget Office of the Federation, policy discussions with key agencies, and public awareness campaigns through media and civil society platforms.
While welcoming the progress made so far, Dr Magashi stressed the need for urgency in releasing the fund.
He said, “We are calling on the federal government to promptly release the N200 million allocated to IPC in the 2025 budget.
“These funds are critical for implementing essential IPC measures across healthcare facilities, including provision of constant water supply, electricity, liquid soaps, sterilizing machines, cleaning supplies, hand washing basins, and procurement of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs).”
According to him, releasing the funds is not just a matter of operational functionality, “but a crucial step in advancing Nigeria’s health security agenda.”
AHBN added that if NCDC releases the funds quickly and uses them effectively, it could unlock even more opportunities:
“First, it would strengthen Nigeria’s case for increased IPC funding in the 2026 budget, based on demonstrated results.
“Secondly, it would boost confidence among international donors, showing that Nigeria is committed to improving infection control and willing to invest its own resources, making it likely to attract more support from international donors and development partners.”
AHBN further called the attention of the Director-General of the NCDCz Dr Jide Idris to the opportunities and urged the agency to act quickly so that the benefits can reach health workers and patients in facilities across the country, “especially those in rural and under-resourced areas.”
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that the funds are expected to support the rollout of Nigeria’s National IPC Operational Plan, under the leadership of NCDC with the oversight of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate.
AHBN reaffirmed its commitment to tracking the release and use of the IPC funds and working with partners to ensure the money is used efficiently and transparently.
AHBN is a member of Nigeria’s SWAp Technical Working Group (TWG) on Health Security, National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Technical Working Group (TWG), a member of Global Health Security Agenda Consortium (GHSAC) and Global Health Security agenda’ Sustainable Financing and Preparedness Action Package.
