Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stern warning, urging the Nigerian government to ensure that the $1.07 billion allocated to the health sector in the 2025 budget does not suffer the same fate as past public funds, which were infamously linked to bizarre animal-related scandals.

In a statement shared via his verified social media handles, Atiku expressed concerns over the federal government’s lack of transparency in detailing how the health funds would be utilized.

He emphasized the need for strict accountability, especially given Nigeria’s dwindling resources and the withdrawal of external support for critical healthcare services.

A Call for Public Accountability

Atiku criticized the government’s failure to provide a clear breakdown of the budget allocation, especially the $1.07 billion set aside for primary healthcare.

He noted that a significant portion of the fund was sourced from foreign loans and international donor agencies, meaning that Nigerians would eventually bear the repayment burden.

The former vice president questioned why there were no commitments to infrastructure development within the healthcare sector, labeling the situation as suspicious.

He pointed out that without a clear mechanism to track how the money is spent, there is a high risk of mismanagement or even fraud.

Doubts Over Government’s Commitment to Healthcare

Atiku also accused the Tinubu administration of misleading Nigerians about improvements in the healthcare sector. He highlighted the dire state of tertiary hospitals across the country, where even basic amenities like stable electricity supply remain a challenge.

According to him, while the government claims the funds will be used to enhance governance in the health sector and improve primary healthcare services, there is little evidence to support these claims.

He called for a comprehensive framework to ensure that the budget is properly utilized to tackle diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, which remain major health concerns in Nigeria.

A History of Mismanaged Public Funds

Atiku’s statement comes amid growing public skepticism regarding government expenditures. He recalled past incidents where government officials claimed that snakes, termites, and even monkeys were responsible for missing public funds.

He stressed that such absurd excuses must never be tolerated again, especially in a sector as critical as healthcare.

Conclusion: Nigerians Deserve Answers

The former vice president urged the National Assembly to demand transparency and accountability before approving the budget.

He warned that if the Tinubu administration fails to provide a clear plan on how the health funds will be spent, it could be yet another case of financial mismanagement disguised as public interest.

What do you think about Atiku’s concerns? Should the National Assembly demand a detailed breakdown of the health budget? Share your thoughts and read the full story on NIGPOST.