Over the past nine years, the World Bank has approved a total of $3.53 billion (approximately ₦5.4 trillion at the official exchange rate of ₦1,535/$) in health-related loans to Nigeria.
Despite this substantial financial support, several health sector stakeholders — including the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, as well as various state health officials — have expressed concern over the lack of visible results. They argue that the country’s healthcare infrastructure remains in poor condition and does not reflect the scale of investments made through these international loans.
Data from the World Bank’s official project portal indicates that between 2016 and 2025, at least 11 major health projects in Nigeria received a combined $3.527 billion in loans, along with an additional $111.29 million in grants. This brings the total financial commitment from the World Bank toward Nigeria’s health sector to approximately $3.64 billion over the period.
Further funding is also expected, with an additional $250 million health-sector loan anticipated for approval in September 2025. This would raise the total value of loans and grants to around $3.89 billion.
These funds have supported a wide range of health initiatives, primarily through federal institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The financial assistance was aimed at improving immunisation coverage, maternal and child healthcare, nutrition, pandemic preparedness, and strengthening primary healthcare services across various states. A significant portion of the funding was disbursed between 2018 and 2024, with a notable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, stakeholders continue to question why the country’s healthcare system remains underdeveloped, despite the large sums allocated for its improvement.
