Africa Health Budget Network

Yesterday at the #IMNHC2026 Knowledge Share Fair, @SamashaUg showcased how civil society is driving maternal & newborn health progress through accountability and partnerships. From community voices to policy action, the Motion Tracker Approach is helping turn commitments into real results. motiontracker.org #MNH #Accountability #MotionTrackerApproach

Behind the lens at the Abuja Iftar organized by the @AHBNetwork to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026. It was an honour capturing beautiful moments as advocates, partners, and leaders gathered to celebrate women and discuss important health

Check out this article: Dr Magashi announces N1m take-up grant to support Cancer Patients, Survivors - healthreporters.info/dr-magashi-ann… @AHBNetwork @AminuMagashiG @Fmohnigeria @muhammadpate @HelenClarkNZ @HeidiWReynolds @khosla_rajat @ummi_therapist

𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐈𝐟𝐭𝐚𝐫; 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 (𝐈𝐖𝐃) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 As part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026, an Iftar gathering will be hosted today in Abuja. During the event, Dr. Aminu Magashi will announce the establishment of the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬 (𝐍𝐚𝐂𝐚𝐏𝐒) 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝, a new initiative aimed at mobilizing support for cancer patients and survivors across Nigeria. The NaCaPS Fund will be jointly managed by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Arewa Cancer Control Coalition (ACCC), and the AMG Foundation, ensuring strong partnership, transparency, and coordinated support for beneficiaries.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐇𝐁𝐍 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐌𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 At the sidelines of the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) Annual Lecture Series and the launch of its Five-Year National Strategic Plan, Amina Haladu Mohammed, Programmes Delivery and Francophone Africa Liaison at the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), held a brief engagement with the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako. The sideline discussion provided an opportunity for AHBN to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening collaboration with key government actors in advancing sustainable health financing and accountability across Nigeria and Africa. Conversations also emphasized the need for stronger investments and coordinated action to advance women’s health outcomes, maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), as well as the role of strategic partnerships in driving reforms. The discussion further highlighted AHBN’s Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan (CAAP) as a key framework for mobilizing civil society, policymakers, and partners to champion evidence-based advocacy, improve budget implementation, and strengthen accountability in priority health programmes. AHBN continues to position itself as a leading civil society voice promoting transparent, accountable, and evidence-driven health financing. Through initiatives such as budget tracking, accountability scorecards, policy advocacy, and coalition-building with government, civil society, and development partners, AHBN will keep working to ensure that public resources translate into improved health services for vulnerable populations. @Fmohnigeria @muhammadpate @Mohd_Usman2012 @AminuMagashiG @SalakoIziaq @President_NCS @nationalnma

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐍𝐂𝐇 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐒𝐑𝐂 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐣𝐚 On Monday, 13 February 2026, the Health Sector Reform Coalition of Nigeria (HSRC), with support from the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), convened a media briefing at the AHBN headquarters in Abuja to review the 2026 Federal Health Budget proposals and assess implementation of the 2025 health budget. The media briefing highlighted the urgent need for stronger government commitment to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) and Family Planning (FP) financing as critical pillars for improving health outcomes in Nigeria. During the briefing, advocates raised concerns over the persistent gap between health budget allocations and actual fund releases, warning that delays in disbursement continue to weaken delivery of essential maternal and child health services. The HSRC therefore called on the Federal Government to prioritize and ring-fence funding for MNCH programmes, including immunisation and primary health care services, to ensure that women, newborns and children across the country have access to life-saving health interventions. Stakeholders also emphasized the central role of primary health care in delivering MNCH services. While acknowledging existing investments, the Coalition noted that the ₦64 billion allocation to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency remains inadequate given Nigeria’s high burden of maternal and child mortality. They urged the Federal Government to significantly scale up financing for primary health care and ensure timely releases to implementing agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Health. Family planning financing also featured prominently during the briefing. Advocates highlighted a minimum funding gap of over ₦21.4 billion for family planning commodities, stressing that increased domestic funding has become critical following the gradual withdrawal of international donor support. To address this challenge, the Coalition called on the Federal Government to increase domestic financing for family planning commodities, ensure timely release of allocated funds, and safeguard investments that expand access to contraception for women and girls, particularly in underserved communities. Speakers noted that strengthening family planning financing will help reduce unintended pregnancies, improve maternal health outcomes, and accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward national and global health commitments. Participants concluded that while budget allocations signal government commitment, timely and full release of approved funds remains essential for sustaining MNCH programmes, expanding access to reproductive health services, and strengthening Nigeria’s overall health system performance. @AminuMagashiG @SamashaUg @UNFPANigeria @Aminahalad @Marafa_Aminat @HerfonH

Every mother and child deserves care. Protecting them saves lives and builds stronger families and nations. Maternal, newborn, and child health matters. Happy International Women’s Day @CEPMediaHubs #WhenWomenRiseWeAllRise

@AMGFoundation @healthreporters @HelenClarkNZ @PMNCH @gavi @WorldBankAfrica @PPFA @UNFPA @Fmohnigeria @daily_trust @AminuMagashiG @NPHCDA

Monday 23rd February 2026, a group of organizations including @CHRNaija , Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation foundation, @AHBNetwork and Nigeria Cancer Society Kano Chapter (NCS) paid an advocacy visit to the Director General of Drugs Management & Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA)

𝐀𝐇𝐁𝐍 & 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐅𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐏𝐂 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 2 March 2026 — The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) delegation, led by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba and Hon. Muhammad Usman, alongside partners from the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) and C-WINS, held a high-level collaborative advocacy meeting with the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf. The engagement focused on ring-fencing the Commission’s budget to strengthen its institutional impact and operational efficiency, with Dr. Okai Haruna representing PPFN and Dr. Mahmud Mustapha representing C-WINS. The AHBN team advanced discussions on transitioning NPC funding to the Statutory Transfers (Part C) of the Appropriation Act. The proposed reform aims to secure predictable and protected financing, enabling the Commission to effectively fulfil its constitutional mandate. Participants emphasised that the nearly two-decade absence of a national census has created significant data gaps, undermining evidence-based planning and accurate resource allocation across sectors. Ring-fencing NPC’s funding under Part C would enhance financial stability, support the institutionalisation of a ten-year census cycle, and strengthen national and sub-national population data systems. The meeting also underscored the importance of reinforcing the Technical Working Group on population, particularly at the state level, and expanding civil society engagement within the Population Advisory Committee to deepen accountability. In his remarks, Dr. Aminu Yusuf welcomed the engagement and expressed appreciation for the reform proposal. He assured the delegation of NPC’s cooperation in advancing discussions necessary to secure the legislative and policy actions required to institutionalise the transition, noting that sustained collaboration would be key to improving population governance and strengthening women’s health outcomes in Nigeria.

We’re excited to share the latest issue of our newsletter: 𝐂𝐂𝐀𝐂 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 This edition captures key highlights from our strategic engagement sessions, advocacy visits, and collaborative efforts aimed at advancing clean transport policies in Nigeria. 🔗 Read the full newsletter here: mailchi.mp/africahbn.org/…

𝗔𝗛𝗕𝗡 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸-𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 26 February 2026; The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) team, led by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, paid an advocacy and technical engagement visit to the UNFPA Nigeria office in Abuja. The AHBN delegation met with Dr. Ummulkulthum Bajoga, Family Planning Analyst, and Dr. Zubaida Abubakar, Gender/GBV Management Specialist, both of UNFPA Nigeria. 1. The meeting revealed that Nigeria is currently experiencing stock-outs of family planning commodities across all 36 states, with particularly severe shortages in the North-West region. These supply gaps pose a significant threat to the continuity of family planning service delivery nationwide. 2. Discussions to support advocacy for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfil its co-financing commitment for family planning for 2026. 3. The engagement underscored the urgent need for stronger strategic partnerships and sustained advocacy for resource mobilisation, involving the Federal Government, sub-national governments, and the private sector, to close financing and supply gaps. 4. AHBN also gained clearer insights into partner co-financing arrangements for family planning for 2025 and 2026, including donor allocations and releases into the National Family Planning Basket Fund. The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that persistent stock-outs across all levels of the supply chain will severely limit service providers’ ability to deliver family planning services, threatening to reverse hard-won gains and undermining efforts to protect the health and rights of women, adolescents, and children in Nigeria. This strategic meeting provided the impetus for AHBN to finalize its motion tracker data collection, report, and validation meeting in April 2026 as well as generate a series of advocacy messages that will collaboratively support the AHBN and partners to address family planning challenges in Nigeria.

𝐀𝐇𝐁𝐍 & 𝐏𝐏𝐅𝐍 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 Wednesday, 25 February 2026 — The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to the Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Dr. Okai Haruna Aku, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration on population financing and women’s health accountability in Nigeria. The AHBN delegation was led by its Coordinator, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, and the engagement focused on post-event reflections and strategic action points following the recently concluded 13th Annual Population Lecture Series (APLS13) organised by the National Population Commission (NPC). Anchored on the Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan (CAAP), discussions emphasised the urgent need to commence the transition of the National Population Commission to “Part C” of the Appropriation Act to improve budgetary predictability and support the creation of dedicated population budget lines at the state level. As part of the discussions, AHBN also advanced advocacy for family planning (FP) financing in the 2026 budget, highlighting practical pathways to strengthen the Federal Government’s financial commitment to FP through increased and more reliable budget allocations. The AHBN team at the visit included Amina Haladu and Sadiq Malami.

healthreporters.info/hsrc-urges-inc… @AHBNetwork @AminuMagashiG @Fmohnigeria @NphcdaNG @nhia_nigeria @FinMinNigeria @nassnigeria @officialABAT @muhammadpate @gavi @GlobalFund @WHONigeria @ONECampaign @HealthReportAU @PremiumTimesng @daily_trust

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 ₦𝟐𝟔𝟑 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 A call has been made to strengthen Senate legislative appropriation & oversight of the 2026 immunization and vaccine budget, estimated at ₦263 billion. This appeal was presented during an advocacy visit to the Senate Majority Chief Whip, Distinguished Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, by the Africa Health Budget Network team, led by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba and Hon. Muhammad Usman. The delegation emphasized the importance of sustained parliamentary oversight and advocacy to ensure timely release, efficient utilization, measurable impact of immunization funds, and accountability. During the engagement, the ZDLH 2025 Immunization Scorecard was formally presented to Distinguished Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno by the AHBN team as an evidence-based tool to support oversight and accountability, as well as share successes and a few challenges of immunization budget advocacy in Borno, Bauchi, Kano, and Sokoto. The discussion underscored the need to protect immunization financing, safeguard vaccine procurement, and maintain progress in reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children in Nigeria. @NphcdaNG @NPHCDA

CSOs and Advocates urged the House Committee on Health Services, Federal House of Representatives, to be holding quarterly ‘light-touch’ meetings to boost oversight and accountability in Nigeria’s health sector.

10th February 2026, the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) paid an advocacy visit to the office of Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Federal House of Representatives, Nigeria. During the engagement, he commended the impact of the July 2025 Immunization Legislative Retreat tagged the “𝐿𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑠 𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛” and noted that it has strengthened legislative oversight on immunization and primary healthcare across Nigeria.

Nigeria’s release of $3.75 million, representing 94% of the approved 2025 family planning budget, shows how sustained, evidence-driven advocacy can help translate commitments into real investments for women’s and girls’ health. Through PMNCH’s Nigeria Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan (CAAP), partners led by the Africa Health Budget Network strengthened accountability, aligned stakeholders and advanced policy dialogue to support timely financing. 👉 Learn more: pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… #PMNCH #WCAH #SRHR #FamilyPlanning #Nigeria #HealthFinancing @AminuMagashiG @AHBNetwork