The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pointed fingers at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and some “others who should not interfere” for holding up the completion of an N85 billion project to build 774 health centres across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country. The dispute is now before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Court Documents Reveal Progress and Problems
According to court papers in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1797/2024, seen by our reporters, 584 health centres have been built so far, but 190 are still missing because of “too many court cases.” The CBN says the Governors’ Forum and some people who are not even elected officials have gone to court to stop the project.
The project was first approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2007, with the goal of building one health centre in each Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria. This was meant to ensure that every Nigerian, no matter where they live, has access to basic health care close to home.
How Did This Start?
The project to build one health centre in each LGA was first approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2007. The plan was to make sure every Nigerian has access to basic health care close to home.
However, some people from Boki LGA in Cross River State and Brass LGA in Bayelsa State went to court. They said the elected chairmen of the LGAs were not involved in the project and that no health centre was built in their areas. They also said the CBN, the Minister of Finance, and the Attorney General of the Federation had no right to take money from the LGAs’ monthly income for the project without the chairmen’s permission.
What Did the CBN Say?
A CBN official, Nwabuko Catherine Omoh, told the court that all 774 LGAs had agreed to the project and its funding before it started. She said none of the elected chairmen objected at the time, and that the people who went to court are not elected officials or representatives of any LGA.
She explained:
“A total of 584 healthcare centres have so far been constructed out of the proposed 774, leaving a balance of just 190 healthcare centres outstanding. The remaining 190 would have been completed long ago if not for a series of litigations instituted by the Nigerian Governors Forum and other meddlesome interlopers like the plaintiffs in this suit.”
Lawyers Speak Out
The CBN’s lawyer, Tairu Adebayo, said the people who went to court do not have the legal right to do so because they are not elected officials or representatives of any LGA. He asked the court to throw out the case and make the plaintiffs pay for wasting the court’s time.
The lawyer for Mathan Nigeria Limited, Wale Balogun SAN, also said the people who went to court are not the real chairmen or officials of the LGAs. He said they have not shown that they suffered any harm from the project.
What Happens Next?
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 3, 2025, as the date to hear all the arguments in the case.
Government’s Big Push for Health Centres
While this court case is going on, the federal government is not sitting back. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made health care a top priority, launching many new projects to improve health centres and health services across Nigeria.
of over 901 health centres and plans to upgrade 2,701 more across the country. The goal is to make sure that every ward in Nigeria has at least one fully functional health centre.
In the last year alone, more than 1,000 health centres have been upgraded from poor to good condition, and another 2,500 are being worked on. The government is also training over 60,000 health workers to make sure there are enough doctors, nurses, and midwives to staff these centres.
New Health Fellows for Every LGA
To further strengthen health services, President Tinubu has approved the employment of 774 National Health Fellows—one for each LGA—to help improve health care at the grassroots level. These young professionals will work closely with communities to make sure health centres are working well and people are getting the care they need.
The government has also increased the budget for health. In the 2025 budget, N402 billion is set aside for building and upgrading health centres, N282.65 billion for the Basic Health Care Fund, and N188 billion for vaccines. This is part of the government’s promise to make health care better and more accessible for all Nigerians.
Nigeria is also getting help from international partners. The government has secured over $3 billion in funding for health projects, and more money is coming in from organisations like the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. These funds are helping to build new health centres, train health workers, and buy medical equipment.
By the first quarter of 2025, over 37 million Nigerians had used services at revamped health centres. Model health centres in Rivers, Edo, and Plateau are now examples of what can be achieved with good leadership and investment.
The government has also focused on maternal and child health, providing free Caesarean sections and essential supplements for pregnant women. Over 6 million pregnant women received micronutrient supplements, and more than 4,000 free Caesarean sections were carried out in the past year. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has also donated over 60,000 midwifery kits to help reduce maternal deaths.
Looking Ahead
Despite the court case, the government is determined to keep improving health care for all Nigerians. The plan is to make sure that no Nigerian has to travel more than five kilometres to reach a health centre. With more health centres, more trained health workers, and more money for health, the future looks brighter for Nigeria’s health sector.
Quote of the Day:
“The remaining 190 would have been completed long ago if not for a series of litigations instituted by the Nigerian Governors Forum and other meddlesome interlopers…”
— CBN Official, Court Affidavit
The court showdown between the CBN and the Governors’ Forum is not just about money or power—it’s about bringing health care to every Nigerian. While the legal battle continues, the government is making real progress by building and upgrading health centres, training health workers, and investing more money in health care. For millions of Nigerians waiting for a health centre in their community, there is hope. The government’s commitment and the ongoing reforms show that Nigeria is moving in the right direction. With continued effort and cooperation, the promise of quality health care for every Nigerian is within reach.
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