Nigeria’s specialised health institutions are struggling under persistent funding pressure, a senior lawmaker has warned, as the House of Representatives commenced scrutiny of healthcare spending proposals for the 2026 fiscal year.
Opening the 2026 Budget Defence session of the House Committee on Specialty Healthcare on Saturday in Abuja, Committee Chairman, Rep. Alex Egbona, said many specialist facilities remain unable to meet growing healthcare demands due to limited budgetary allocations.
“I warmly welcome you all to this 2026 Budget Defence session of the House Committee on Specialty Healthcare,” he told attendees at the National Assembly Complex.
The session follows the presentation of the 2026 Appropriations Bill to the National Assembly in December 2025 and marks a key stage in the legislative budget process.
Rep. Egbona emphasised the constitutional role of the committee, noting that it oversees critical specialist medical institutions nationwide.
He stressed the importance of these institutions in the broader health system, describing them as essential to treating complex conditions and supporting vulnerable populations.
“The Committee on Specialty Healthcare is constitutionally and legislatively mandated to provide oversight over all specialised hospitals and health institutions in Nigeria. These include Orthopaedic Hospitals, Psychiatric Hospitals, Obstetric Fistula Centres, Eye and Ear Hospitals, Oral and Dental Health Institutions, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Blood Transfusion Services and Laboratory Science Technology.
“These institutions occupy a critical position in Nigeria’s healthcare system. They provide specialised and referral services, manage complex medical conditions, and serve some of the most vulnerable segments of our population. Without their effective functioning, the healthcare system cannot deliver optimal outcomes,” he said.
However, he warned that funding shortfalls continue to undermine their effectiveness.
“Many of these specialised hospitals and institutions continue to operate under severe funding constraints. Annual budgetary provisions are often low and, in many cases, inadequate to address infrastructure deficits, manpower needs, equipment gaps, and expanding service demands. This reality directly affects service delivery and patient outcomes,” he stated.
According to the chairman, the budget defence serves two main purposes: reviewing proposed spending for 2026 and assessing how funds from the 2025 budget were used.
He added that the committee would closely examine how funding releases or delays impacted performance across institutions.
“The purpose of today’s budget defence is therefore twofold: first, for institutions to defend their 2026 budget proposals; and second, to account for the implementation of the 2025 Appropriations Act, highlighting achievements, challenges, and gaps.
“The Committee is particularly interested in understanding how released funds (or lack of releases) have been utilised or affected performance; and how additional resources or adequate funding can translate into improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” he said.
Rep. Egbona reassured stakeholders that the committee will continue pushing for stronger financial support for specialist healthcare services.He directed all health institutions appearing before the committee to present clear and evidence-backed submissions.
“Let me assure you that this Committee is committed as usual to ensuring that specialised healthcare institutions receive fair, realistic, and adequate budgetary allocations. We will continue to engage the relevant authorities and the Committee on Appropriations to advocate for improved funding, guided by transparency, accountability, and national health priorities.
“I urge all institutions to make concise, factual, and evidence-based presentations to enable the Committee to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
“I once again welcome you all and formally declare the 2026 Budget Defence of the House Committee on Specialty Healthcare open”, he said.
The outcome of the defence is expected to influence final healthcare allocations in Nigeria’s 2026 national budget, particularly for specialist medical facilities serving high-risk and vulnerable patient groups.