Wednesday November 12, 2025 | A major health reform proposal scaled second reading in the Senate. The National Primary Healthcare Development Bill sponsored by Sen. Olamilekan, Adeola Solomon (Ogun West) seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for the delivery of quality, equitable and accessible primary health care services, to strengthen community-based health systems and promote universal health coverage.
Leading the debate on the floor of the Senate, Senator Adeola emphasized that primary health care remains the foundation of every functional health care system, being the closest form of medical service accessible to the people.
He noted that despite the establishment of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in the early 1990s, the current legal framework guiding its operations has become outdated and inadequate to address today’s health challenges.
“In view of the fact that the current law neither captures the new realities of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), digital health integration, nor community health insurance, there is a need to bring the Act up to date and reposition the Agency as a driver of universal access to primary health care”, Senator Adeola stated.
He further explained that the proposed bill aims to establish a clearer governance structure, promote performance-based management, and encourage community participation through Ward Health Committees and local partnerships. It also seeks to enhance coordination among the Federal, State, and Local Governments, and facilitate the integration of technology, data systems, and health research into the primary health care framework.
The bill received strong support from the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Mugono (APC, Borno South) and Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
Following deliberations, it was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate for public hearing and subsequent legislative processes.
