Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over the potential mismanagement of the $1.07 billion allocated to Nigeria’s health sector in the 2025 budget, warning that “snakes, termites, monkeys, and rodents” must not be allowed to swallow the funds.
In a statement personally signed on Sunday, Atiku referenced past bizarre claims of public funds being consumed by animals, criticizing the lack of investigations and accountability. He called for strict oversight and transparency in the utilization of the health sector allocation, stressing the need for public audits as dwindling resources and reduced international support strain the system.
“The Federal Government must be deliberate about implementing mechanisms for public audit and accountability in the $1.07 billion health budget,” he stated, questioning the absence of a detailed spending plan.
Atiku also criticized the government’s reliance on foreign loans and donor agencies to fund the sector without prioritizing physical infrastructure. He described the administration’s approach as mismanagement, noting that malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain critical health challenges requiring proper funding.
“If the Tinubu administration truly prioritizes Nigerians’ health, it should provide a clear breakdown of how this intervention fund will address these diseases in the primary healthcare sector,” he added.
In a related development, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria have pledged to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor budget implementation at both national and sub-national levels.
During a visit to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede in Abuja, CSO representative Splendor Agbonkpolor emphasized their commitment to tracking budget effectiveness, identifying gaps, and advocating for transparency.
“The EFCC needs Nigerians to assist in providing information. We have discovered that despite huge sums being paid to contractors, many projects remain nonexistent. If we find discrepancies, we will report them to the EFCC for investigation,” Agbonkpolor stated.
In response, Olukoyede welcomed the partnership, stressing that corruption cannot be tackled by law enforcement alone. “We are all victims of corruption, and collaboration is key. Budget implementation and monitoring are crucial, and we will ensure a strong partnership with CSOs to curb financial mismanagement,” he assured.
With Atiku’s warning and CSOs pushing for accountability, attention is now on the Federal Government to ensure that the $1.07 billion health budget is effectively utilized to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
