Nigeria

Given its high burden of disease and large population, health financing levels in Nigeria are low, accounting for just 20–30% of total health expenditure. The largest source of finance is out-of-pocket payments, which, together with a lack of effective risk protection mechanisms such as fee exemptions and health insurance, make the cost of seeking care prohibitive for many people in Nigeria.

The National Strategic Health Development Plan (2010-2015), highlights further weaknesses of the health care system (inequitable distribution of resources, decaying infrastructure, poor management of human resources for health and weak referral systems), making it difficult to deliver basic, cost-effective services.

RESYST research in Nigeria

Financing

• Research will look at expanding fiscal space through increasing the effectiveness of tax collection systems in Lagos State. The research will use case studies of experiences of improved tax collection based on interviews with key stakeholders and document reviews.
  Research summary
• Researchers will critically assess the performance of health care purchasers in Nigeria as part of the RESYST multi-country study on purchasing.

Governance

• Research will look at implementation of the National Primary Health Care Development Fund in Nigeria including how prepared the health system is to ensure good governance and accountability.