Despite billions of naira invested by the Federal and state governments to improve Nigeria's primary healthcare system, at least 6,516 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the country remain non-operational, leaving millions of Nigerians—especially those in rural communities—without reliable access to basic healthcare services.
Data from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) shows that Katsina State has the highest number of inactive PHCs with 442, followed by Osun (406), Benue (343), Enugu (335), Adamawa (286), Jigawa (282), Delta (278), Yobe (248), Lagos (246), Ogun (246), Bauchi (229), Edo (221), Rivers (218), and Borno (159).
However, officials in Borno State say the situation is worse than the national figures indicate. The Director of Community and Family Health at the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Mala Wahab, revealed that 358 PHCs were destroyed during the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to him, Borno had 735 PHCs before the insurgency but now has 377 functional facilities, with three additional centres nearing completion. He also noted that although the state has recruited more than 1,400 health workers, shortages caused by brain drain continue to affect healthcare delivery.
The NPHCDA reports that Nigeria currently has 3,128 functional Level 2 PHCs, 3,275 revitalised PHCs, and 5,141 facilities supported through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). However, experts say these investments have not translated into adequate healthcare services due to poor staffing, insufficient funding, insecurity, lack of essential medicines, and weak maintenance.
Primary healthcare centres play a critical role by providing immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, disease prevention, family planning, and treatment for common illnesses. In many rural communities, they are the first—and often only—point of access to healthcare.
Several state governments defended their healthcare investments. Kano State said it has renovated and equipped 320 PHCs in the past three years and plans to recruit 7,000 additional health workers. Anambra and Cross River also highlighted ongoing recruitment, facility upgrades, and expanded healthcare services, while Zamfara maintained that its PHCs remain operational despite security challenges.
Health experts, however, stressed that renovating buildings alone is not enough. They called for increased funding, better governance, direct disbursement of healthcare funds, improved welfare for frontline workers, and stronger accountability to ensure that primary healthcare centres can effectively serve communities across Nigeria.
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