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Specialist Hospitals Face Funding Squeeze as Lawmakers Open 2026 Budget Defence
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has warned that Nigeria’s specialised health institutions are struggling under persistent funding pressure.
Chairman of the House Committee on Specialty Healthcare, Rep. Alex Egbona, who stated this at the commencement of the 2026 Budget Defence session at the National Assembly on Saturday, said the country’s specialist hospitals remain vital to the health system but are being stretched by limited financial support.
The session follows the presentation of the 2026 Appropriations Bill by the President in December 2025 and its progression through legislative stages before being referred for detailed committee work.
Rep. Egbona emphasised the constitutional oversight role of the committee over a wide range of specialised health institutions, including orthopaedic hospitals, psychiatric facilities, obstetric fistula centres, eye and ear hospitals, dental institutions, blood transfusion services and laboratory science technology services.
“These institutions occupy a critical position in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“They provide specialised and referral services, manage complex medical conditions, and serve some of the most vulnerable segments of our population. Without their effective functioning, the healthcare system cannot deliver optimal outcomes,” he said.
Despite their importance, he said many continue to operate under severe financial strain. According to the chairman, the budget defence exercise will focus on two key areas — proposed spending for 2026 and accountability for funds allocated in 2025.
“Annual budgetary provisions are often low and, in many cases, inadequate to address infrastructure deficits, manpower needs, equipment gaps, and expanding service demands.
“This reality directly affects service delivery and patient outcomes.
“The purpose of today’s budget defence is therefore twofold: first, for institutions to defend their 2026 budget proposals; and second, to account for the implementation of the 2025 Appropriations Act, highlighting achievements, challenges, and gaps,” he said.
The committee chairman added that lawmakers want clear explanations on how released funds were used and how funding shortfalls affected performance and assured stakeholders that the committee will push for better funding outcomes.
“The Committee is particularly interested in understanding how released funds (or lack of releases) have been utilised or affected performance; and how additional resources or adequate funding can translate into improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria
“Let me assure you that this Committee is committed as usual to ensuring that specialised healthcare institutions receive fair, realistic, and adequate budgetary allocations.
“We will continue to engage the relevant authorities and the Committee on Appropriations to advocate for improved funding, guided by transparency, accountability, and national health priorities,” he said.
Rep. Egbona directed institutions appearing before the panel to present clear, fact-based submissions.
“I urge all institutions to make concise, factual, and evidence-based presentations to enable the Committee to carry out its responsibilities effectively,” he said.
The budget defence is expected to shape final allocations for specialised healthcare services as lawmakers work towards passage of the 2026 national budget.
Midnight fire on Saturday destroyed more than 10 shops at the Terminus Market in Jos, Plateau State.
Witnesses said that the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m., after traders had closed for the day.
The latest incident comes three months after a section of the market was gutted by a similar night fire.
Our correspondent, who visited the market on Sunday morning, reports that more than 10 shops were affected, with clothes and shoes burnt to ashes.
The cause of the fire could not be immediately confirmed by market authorities, though some victims suggested it might have been caused by an electrical fault.
Firefighters and emergency responders were said to have acted swiftly to contain the blaze, preventing what many feared could have escalated into a major disaster.
A witness, Mr. Silas Lawrenzo, said that firefighters, including a team from the National Emergency Management Agency, worked alongside the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, and the Plateau State Fire Service to bring the fire under control.
He said the coordinated and rapid response helped contain the flames, limiting damage and preventing the fire from spreading across the busy commercial hub.
The media reports that the market has experienced three separate fire incidents in the past year, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The Inspector General of Police,Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has hailed the professionalism of Nigerian journalists and corrected a misconception about their roles in society cautioning that they should not be treated like beggars, instead accorded the full compliments of professionals deserving of respect
The IGP who commended Federal capital Territory journalists and sought stronger police- media partnership when he spoke as a special guest at the FCT NUJ council congress Saturday, said he has always had a mutually beneficial relationship with the media, recognising their professionalism that is deserving of respect and therefore they should never be treated as beggars
The calm and ever- smiling police chief said, “I have always had a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with journalists. They are professionals who deserve respect and should never be treated as beggars,”
Disu commended them for their role in informing the public and contributing to national development, describing his relationship with the media as one built on mutual respect and professionalism.
He emphasised that journalists should be regarded as respected professionals rather than beggars, noting that the media plays a critical role in society, while calling for stronger collaboration between the police and the media, stressing that a healthy partnership would enhance public trust and improve security communication.
The police chief further urged both police officers and journalists to conduct themselves responsibly at all times, noting that good conduct leaves lasting impressions in society.
Responding, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, congratulated the new IGP on his appointment and described him as a longstanding friend of the press.
She expressed confidence in his leadership and assured him of the council’s readiness to collaborate with the police in reporting security matters objectively
Ike also revealed that the IGP would be invited as a special guest to the council’s 2026 Press Week celebration.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to promoting responsible journalism and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening security and governance in the territory.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, was today honoured with the *Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025* by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
The Managing Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, *Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara*, described the award as recognition of his vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives that align with the NPA’s vision to become the *Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa*.
Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the Authority’s Spokesman, highlighted the invaluable support of the *Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola*, which has been instrumental in achieving these remarkable successes. Key highlights include:
– Sustained port efficiencies contributing to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 2025 (per NBS and NESG reports), driven mainly by exports via NPA platforms.
– Successful execution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy for crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, saving billions in FOREX, enhancing energy security, improving trade balance, and creating jobs.
– Completion of Nigeria’s membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), paving the way for the National Single Window (NSW) project.
– Technical guidance enabling a significant rise in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, serving landlocked neighbours and recovering cargo lost to competing ports.
– Pioneering election of a Nigerian agency as President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) since 1972, with Dr. Dantsoho also leading PAPC, boosting Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and securing re-admission to IMO Category C.
These successes position NPA to deliver major 2025 projects, including the $1 billion reconstruction of Tincan Island Port Complex, rehabilitation of key ports, new deep seaport developments, and eco-friendly operations.
Champions Newspaper conferred the award in appreciation of NPA’s pivotal role as a leading trade facilitation platform driving national economic prosperity through Nigeria’s maritime endowments.
Midnight fire engulfs Jos main market destroying ten shops
Journalists are professionals deserving Respect- IGP Disu
NPA wins Champions Newspaper’s “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025”
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