The Federal Government has approved N40.76bn for the third-quarter 2026 disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), while announcing plans to extend health insurance coverage to inmates.
The latest allocation represents an increase of N7.88bn compared with the N32.88bn approved for the second quarter of the year.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced the decisions in a statement dated October 16, 2026, describing them as part of the government’s efforts to improve access to healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians.
According to Pate, the measures are consistent with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
“The decisions reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved populations,” the minister said.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is intended to strengthen the delivery of essential health services and improve access to primary healthcare across Nigeria.
The increase in the third-quarter allocation comes as the government continues efforts to expand healthcare access, particularly for Nigerians who face financial and other barriers to medical services.
The planned extension of health insurance to inmates is another measure aimed at including vulnerable groups in the country’s healthcare system.
However, the statement did not provide details on the specific arrangements for enrolling inmates in health insurance schemes or the timeline for implementing the policy.
It also did not specify how the N40.76bn allocation would be distributed among the agencies and programmes supported by the fund.
Further details on the implementation of the approved allocation and the proposed insurance coverage are expected to clarify how the measures will improve access to healthcare for beneficiaries.
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