Tinubu Approves 8,800 New PHCs as FG Ramps Up Healthcare Investment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of over 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria as part of a sweeping Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday during the commissioning of the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The initiative extends beyond PHCs. It also includes the comprehensive upgrade of existing tertiary healthcare institutions to improve their capacity for handling critical medical cases such as trauma, oncology, and infectious disease control. According to the Vice President, this reflects the administration’s broader commitment to bridging Nigeria’s longstanding healthcare deficits through robust policy direction and sustained investment.

While affirming the Federal Government’s dedication to healthcare reforms, Shettima emphasized that the burden of revamping the sector cannot rest on government shoulders alone. He called on the private sector, philanthropists, and corporate organizations to actively participate in the collective mission to improve public health services across the country.

“The government alone cannot shoulder this burden,” Shettima declared. “We must work together to build a system that works—for everyone.”

He hailed the newly inaugurated trauma centre as a crucial addition to Nigeria’s emergency care infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for facilities equipped to manage the growing risks associated with urbanization, industrial activity, and motorization. “Trauma care is no longer optional—it is essential,” he said. “This centre is a lifeline and a symbol of preparedness in a nation that cares.”

The Vice President also praised the generosity of the Adegunwa family, describing the facility as a model of private sector involvement in healthcare development. “This is more than a birthday gift—it’s a gift to humanity. A place where the wounded can find healing, and where despair gives way to hope,” he added.

Highlighting the alignment between this initiative and President Tinubu’s broader health reform agenda, Shettima noted ongoing investments in a National Health Insurance Scheme that aims to ensure universal coverage, alongside the rollout of a Digital Health Information Management System to improve service delivery through data-driven processes.

He further urged well-meaning Nigerians to look beyond personal milestones and focus on nation-building. “Now more than ever, we need a shared sense of responsibility for the health of our people,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr. Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the Board of Management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, confirmed that the trauma centre was designed to boost the hospital’s emergency response capacity and overall service quality. He assured that the facility will be well-maintained and sustainably managed to benefit the community for generations to come.

Hassan also extended heartfelt gratitude to Chief Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, his foundation, and his family for their generous donation, describing it as a remarkable contribution to public health.