The federal government, in collaboration with development partners, is intensifying efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health system through the deployment of real-time data tools aimed at improving planning, accountability, and service delivery across the country.
The initiative was highlighted at the Frequent Assessment and System Tools for Resilience (FASTR) Programme Review Meeting and the launch of the Automated National Health Sector Scorecard in Abuja, where stakeholders underscored the importance of digital innovations in driving evidence-based decision-making and improving health outcomes.
The meeting, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its partners, reviewed progress under the FASTR programme and outlined priorities for its next phase, with a focus on data utilisation, coordination, and health system efficiency.
Presenting findings from recent health facility assessments, the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Anthony Adogho, said facilities supported under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) were performing better than non-supported facilities in key areas of service readiness.
He said BHCPF-supported facilities recorded stronger infrastructure, improved availability of essential medicines and supplies, a higher number of skilled health workers, and a broader range of health services.
Despite the gains, Adogho noted that significant challenges remain across the country, particularly in the areas of water supply, electricity, emergency transportation, maternal and child health commodities, and the availability of skilled birth attendants.
He observed that although non-BHCPF facilities continue to face considerable service readiness gaps, they still account for the majority of patient visits within the public health system.
“This shows that a large proportion of the population is yet to benefit from BHCPF improvements,” he said, stressing the need to expand the programme to improve access to quality healthcare.
Adogho also highlighted a strong relationship between BHCPF implementation and health insurance enrolment, revealing that 41 per cent of health facilities nationwide currently provide services to insured clients.
He said the figure rises to 81 per cent among BHCPF-supported facilities, compared to just 22 per cent in non-supported facilities.
The Country Team Leader for Nigeria at the Global Financing Facility (GFF), Dr. Moussa Dieng, said the current phase of the programme is focused on improving accountability, sustainability, and the use of data for decision-making.
He noted that efforts are being made to ensure that health data generated across the system is effectively utilised for planning, monitoring, and policy formulation.
“We are not here to impose an agenda, but to support the country’s vision for a stronger and more accountable health system,” Dieng said.
Also speaking, the Team Lead for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Mary Brantuo, called for stronger integration of data into programme implementation, stressing that data should form the foundation of health interventions rather than being treated as a separate activity.
She advocated closer collaboration among departments to ensure that decisions are informed by real-time operational data.
The Country Liaison Officer for Nigeria at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Maureen Ugochukwu, emphasised the importance of data in improving immunisation coverage, particularly among zero-dose and under-immunised children.
She said the use of disaggregated data would support more targeted interventions and help address persistent equity gaps in immunisation services.
Chairman of the Health Management Information System Officers Forum of Nigeria, Mr. Omooba Oyedele Malumba, also called for stronger subnational data systems, noting that wider deployment of analytical tools would improve data quality, timeliness, and completeness across states and local government areas.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Automated National Health Sector Scorecard, a digital platform designed to facilitate real-time monitoring and reporting of key health indicators.
Stakeholders said the scorecard would enhance accountability, strengthen performance tracking, and support more informed decision-making at national and subnational levels.
Participants also reviewed FASTR analytical outputs for the first quarter of 2026 and discussed the strategic direction of the programme’s second phase as the current cycle approaches completion.
