Kano State has exceeded the Abuja Declaration benchmark of allocating 15% of its annual budget to the health sector, according to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kano on Monday, Dr. Yusuf announced that the state government had allocated 17.3% of its 2025 budget to health, surpassing the commitment made by African Union member states in the 2001 Abuja Declaration. The declaration urges governments to dedicate at least 15% of their national budgets to improve the health sector.
“This milestone reflects the unwavering commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to prioritize healthcare delivery and ensure access to quality services for all residents,” Dr. Yusuf stated. He emphasized that the increased funding would support infrastructure upgrades, recruitment of health professionals, procurement of essential medicines, and expansion of primary healthcare services across the state.
Dr. Yusuf called on other states to emulate Kano’s example, stressing that sustainable health financing is critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage and meeting Nigeria’s health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
However, civil society groups and health policy analysts have urged the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds. Recent reports have raised concerns about discrepancies in budget implementation and the need for stronger oversight mechanisms.