“World Health Day Shame: Nigeria Spends Billions on Election Disputes While Hospitals Collapse”— Peter Obi
By Passman Akpos
As the world commemorates World Health Day, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has ignited widespread reactions across Nigeria with a strongly worded critique of the nation’s healthcare system, describing the country as “a disgraced nation” over its poor health sector performance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, as obtained by Tarakirivoice, Obi painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s healthcare reality, noting that the country of over 200 million people continues to struggle with one of the weakest health systems globally. He lamented that Nigeria’s primary healthcare framework is “almost comatose,” citing alarming statistics such as rising infant mortality rates—now reportedly worse than those of India—and a national health insurance coverage that remains below 5 percent.
“These are not just numbers,” Obi stated. “They represent a painful indictment of our national priorities.”
The former Anambra State governor expressed deep concern over recent revelations by the Federal Ministry of Health that only about ₦36 million has been released from the ₦218 billion allocated for healthcare capital expenditure in the national budget. He contrasted this with projections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has earmarked over ₦135 billion for election-related legal expenses.
“This contrast should trouble every Nigerian,” Obi said, arguing that the funds allocated for electoral litigation far exceed what has been made available to sustain the country’s fragile primary healthcare system.
He further highlighted the dire condition of major federal health institutions expected to cater to millions of Nigerians, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital, and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, among others.
According to Obi, these institutions—once regarded as pillars of hope—are now overstretched and underfunded, grappling with systemic neglect that continues to erode service delivery.
“A nation that prepares more for electoral disputes than for the health of its citizens has clearly lost its way,” he asserted.
The statement has since triggered intense public discourse, with many Nigerians taking to social media to debate the government’s spending priorities, while others called for urgent reforms in both healthcare funding and governance.
Obi concluded with a call for a national reset, urging leaders to prioritize healthcare and education as essential drivers of development. “Any country that neglects these critical sectors undermines its own future,” he warned, adding that a better Nigeria remains achievable with the right leadership and commitment.
The remarks have added fresh momentum to ongoing conversations about governance, fiscal responsibility, and the urgent need to rebuild public institutions in Africa’s most populous nation.
