Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned the Federal Government against the misuse of funds allocated to the health sector in the 2025 budget, warning that claims of animals swallowing public money must not become the fate of crucial healthcare funds.
In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of the intervention fund for the sector.
Atiku stressed the importance of judiciously utilising every kobo of the budgeted funds to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He stated, “In recent years, there have been bizarre claims of animals being held accountable for missing public funds. Some of these fairytale-like claims were never investigated or punished to deter future offenders.
“Against the backdrop of dwindling resources that have been exacerbated by the withdrawal of support in certain areas of our healthcare services, it is important that every kobo budgeted for the health sector has to be maximally utilised.
“To this end, the Federal Government has to be deliberate about putting mechanisms in place for public audit and accountability in its $1.07bn budgetary appropriation in the health sector.”
The former Vice President criticised the government for failing to outline a comprehensive framework for how over $1 billion earmarked for the primary health sector would be spent.
He noted that while investing in healthcare is crucial for improving access to quality medical services, the government must fulfil its obligation to disclose how the funds will be utilised.
“We have read that the Federal Government plans to expend a whopping $1.07bn in the primary health sector. This amount is in addition to the N2.48tn earlier proposed for the health sector in the initial budget draft.
“Nigerians deserve to know the details of these loans and how the funds will be spent. The budget should be accompanied by a clear policy framework explaining its disbursement,” he added.
