Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal Government to ensure full transparency and accountability in the management of the $1.07 billion allocated for the health sector in the 2025 budget.
In a statement on Sunday, Atiku cautioned against the misuse of public funds, referencing past cases where animals like snakes, termites, gorillas, and monkeys were bizarrely blamed for missing government money.
“Claims of animals such as snakes, termites, gorillas, and monkeys swallowing public funds must never be the fate of the funds budgeted for the critical sector of health in the 2025 budget,” Atiku said.
He stressed the importance of accountability, noting that every kobo should be used to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system. “Against the backdrop of dwindling resources, worsened by the withdrawal of support in certain areas of our healthcare services, it is important that every kobo budgeted for the health sector has to be maximally utilised,” he added.
Atiku criticised the government for not providing clear details on how the funds would be spent. “We have read that the Federal Government plans to expend a whopping $1.07 billion in the primary health sector. This amount is in addition to the N2.48 trillion earlier proposed for the health sector in the initial budget draft,” he noted.
He called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish strong mechanisms for public audit and accountability. “The Federal Government has to be deliberate about putting mechanisms in place for public audit and accountability in its $1.07bn budgetary appropriation in the health sector,” Atiku stated.
Atiku also urged the government to clearly explain how the health funds, including the loans, would be allocated and spent. “Nigerians deserve to know the details of these loans and how the funds will be spent. The budget should be accompanied by a clear policy framework explaining its disbursement,” he said.
