Global Fund Evaluation Project

Nigeria

Project Overview

Sustainable improvements in health outcomes depend on strong financing systems that ensure healthcare services are adequately funded, accessible, and responsive to population needs. As Nigeria continues its journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), effective policy dialogue is essential for aligning stakeholders around shared priorities and building consensus on health financing reforms.

With support from the Global Fund, the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF) facilitated the National Health Financing Policy Dialogue, providing a platform for policymakers, technical experts, development partners, and health sector leaders to engage in discussions on the future of health financing in Nigeria.

The initiative sought to strengthen collaboration across the health sector, promote evidence-informed decision-making, and support the development of policies and strategies that would improve the efficiency, sustainability, and equity of healthcare financing.

By fostering constructive dialogue and stakeholder engagement, the project contributed to national efforts to build a more resilient and better-funded health system.

Nigeria’s health financing landscape is characterised by multiple funding sources, competing priorities, and significant resource constraints. While progress has been made in expanding healthcare access, challenges remain in ensuring sustainable financing, reducing out-of-pocket spending, and improving the efficiency of health expenditures.

Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action among government institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and other stakeholders. However, achieving alignment across diverse interests and perspectives can be complex without structured platforms for engagement and dialogue.

Weak health information systems often limit governments’ ability to monitor programme performance, identify service delivery gaps, and allocate resources effectively. Inconsistent data quality and limited use of routine health information reduced the ability of health managers to make timely, evidence-informed decisions.

There was a need for stronger systems that could improve data quality, institutionalise performance monitoring, and promote accountability across the health sector.