The former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the recently approved $1.07 billion health sector investment fund is properly managed and not lost to corruption. Drawing from past financial scandals, he warned against misappropriation, referencing instances where public officials absurdly claimed that animals had swallowed missing government funds.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently gave the green light for a $1.07 billion investment aimed at enhancing primary healthcare services across the country. This initiative, partly supported by the World Bank, is designed to address infrastructure gaps, improve access to medical care, and strengthen Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system. However, Atiku expressed concerns over the potential mismanagement of the funds, emphasizing Nigeria’s history of corruption and financial misappropriation.“This money must be spent wisely and transparently. We cannot allow another case where public funds mysteriously vanish. Nigerians deserve better healthcare, and every dollar allocated should serve that purpose,” Atiku stated.
Fears of Misuse
Atiku’s remarks reference past cases of financial fraud in Nigeria, such as:
2018: A government official from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) claimed that a snake swallowed ₦36 million in missing funds.
2018: Reports surfaced that ₦70 million belonging to the Northern Senators’ Forum had mysteriously disappeared, allegedly taken by a monkey.
These incidents have since become symbols of government corruption and lack of accountability, sparking widespread criticism and ridicule.
Demand for Oversight
Atiku called on the government, anti-corruption agencies, civil society groups, and the media to closely monitor how the health funds are allocated and spent, ensuring that they are not diverted for personal gain.
He stressed that Nigeria’s healthcare sector is in desperate need of reform, and any mismanagement of this substantial funding would be a betrayal of public trust. Millions of Nigerians continue to suffer due to poor medical infrastructure, lack of essential healthcare services, and underfunded hospitals.
Public Reactions & Next Steps
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to support Atiku’s call for greater financial accountability, warning that without proper oversight, these funds could be misused.
With heightened public scrutiny, the government will need to demonstrate transparency in how it allocates the funds to ensure that Nigeria’s health sector receives the long-overdue improvements it requires.
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