Dare Babalola
Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria remains one of the countries with the weakest healthcare systems in the world, raising fresh concerns over the state of medical infrastructure and government spending priorities.
In a statement posted on his social media pages on Wednesday to mark World Health Day, Obi lamented that despite Nigeria’s large population, the country continues to record poor health outcomes and limited access to quality care.
“Today, as the world marks World Health Day, we must pause for honest reflection,” Obi said.
“Nigeria continues to grapple with one of the weakest healthcare systems in the world. Our primary healthcare structure is almost comatose.”
He noted that key health indicators reflect the depth of the crisis, pointing out that Nigeria now records worse infant mortality outcomes than India, while health insurance coverage in the country remains below five per cent.
“These are not just statistics; they are a painful indictment of our priorities,” he added.
Obi also expressed concern over what he described as gross underfunding of the health sector, citing recent disclosures from the Ministry of Health that only a fraction of funds appropriated for capital expenditure has been released.
“Out of the ₦218 billion appropriated for healthcare capital expenditure, only about ₦36 million has been released. This is deeply troubling,” he said.
He contrasted the figure with projected spending by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he said plans to expend over ₦135 billion on legal costs related to electoral matters.
“The amount earmarked for election-related litigation is far higher than what has been made available for primary healthcare, the very foundation of a nation’s wellbeing,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor warned that such priorities could further weaken already overstretched public health institutions, including major teaching hospitals across the country.
“These institutions represent hope for millions. Yet, they remain underfunded, overstretched, and burdened by systemic neglect,” he said.
Obi stressed that Nigeria’s development is being undermined by inadequate investment in critical sectors such as health and education, urging the government to urgently reassess its priorities.
“A nation that prepares more for electoral disputes than for the health of its citizens is a nation that has lost its way,” he said.
He called for increased funding, stronger institutions, and a renewed commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians, insisting that meaningful development cannot occur without a functional healthcare system.
“Healthcare and education are not optional; they are the foundation of national development. Any country that neglects them undermines its own future,” Obi added, reiterating his call for reforms and improved governance.
