Senator Banigo Receives Health Champion Award, Urges Better Health Funding

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Ipalibo Banigo, has called for more money to be invested in Nigeria's health sector. She said the country is not doing enough to meet its healthcare financing commitments.

Ms Banigo made this statement on Monday in Abuja after she was named the Health Champion 2026 at the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) and Nigeria Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Civil Society Organisations-Media Mid-Year Review of Nigeria’s Health Sector Reforms.

The event brought together government officials, civil society groups, development partners, and media professionals to look at how far Nigeria has come in health sector reforms and improving health outcomes.

Receiving the award, Ms Banigo, who is a medical doctor and senator for Rivers West Senatorial District, said Nigeria still has a long way to go to meet its health financing promises.

She pointed out that even though the country pledged under the Abuja Declaration to spend 15 percent of its annual budget on health, actual government spending is much lower than that.

“We are not up to the 15 percent declaration, the Abuja Declaration; we are not there yet. Even at six percent, we are not close to it,” she said.

She emphasized the need for stronger efforts to boost domestic funding for healthcare. Her call comes as the National Assembly works on laws to increase the funds available for health.

One of the bills she is sponsoring is the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill. This bill aims to raise the allocation to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one percent to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The BHCPF is meant to help provide basic healthcare services, especially through primary healthcare centres.

In addition to the BHCPF, Ms Banigo has also sponsored the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax Bill. This bill wants to change the current flat-rate tax on sugary drinks to a percentage-based tax linked to retail prices.

The Senate approved the bill in June 2026. Under this new plan, the money made from the tax would help with health promotion, disease prevention, and primary healthcare.

Ms Banigo received the Health Champion 2026 award for her work and advocacy in Nigeria’s health sector.

While presenting the award, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, praised her efforts and encouraged her to keep pushing.

Mr Pate’s praise came as everyone at the event looked at ongoing reforms to improve health financing and health outcomes nationwide.

Ms Banigo thanked the organizers, government officials, civil society groups, development partners, media professionals, and all others involved in the review.

She said the award has made her more determined to continue supporting policies and reforms to enhance healthcare delivery in Nigeria.