Jigawa spends N15.90k daily on healthcare per resident in 3 months, less than cost of a sachet water
By Aminu Abubakar
A SolaceBase review of Jigawa State’s 2025 first-quarter budget performance has revealed that the government spent just N1,432 per resident on healthcare from January to March, translating to only N15.9 daily per person on average.
This minimal per capita spending raises fresh concerns about the adequacy of healthcare funding in a state grappling with persistent public health challenges.
N15.9 cannot buy a sachet of water in the current economic circumstances of the country, with two sachets of water going for N50 in most parts of the country, an average of N25 per sachet of water.
Jigawa’s population is estimated at 5.828 million, according to figures published on the state’s investment platform, Invest Jigawa. Based on this estimate, the N8.351 billion allocated and spent on the Ministry of Health during the first quarter equates to N1,432 per person over the three-month period.
This figure becomes even more concerning when broken down: N1,432 divided by 90 days means just N15.9 was available per day for each resident’s healthcare needs. In a state where access to basic health infrastructure remains fragile, experts warn that this level of investment is insufficient to guarantee decent and quality health services.
Read Also: Katsina, Kebbi hit by cholera in 2025, amid poor govt expenditure on health, water
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) further paints a troubling picture. According to the bureau, 12% of households in Jigawa still lack access to clean drinking water, while a staggering 73% do not have access to sanitary facilities. These deficiencies in essential services significantly increase vulnerability to disease outbreaks, particularly in rural communities.
Despite the alarming statistics, public healthcare remains underfunded relative to the needs of the people. The governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, recently expressed concern about the deteriorating sanitary conditions in public spaces, especially within Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). The governor made these remarks during the disbursement of consumables and non-consumables to healthcare centres across the 27 local government areas of the state.
He called on local authorities and heads of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) departments to prioritize the cleanliness and functionality of healthcare facilities, noting that a clean environment is the foundation of a healthy community. However, observers argue that these words must be matched with significant and sustained investment in health infrastructure, personnel, and preventive care.
The urgency of the situation was further underscored by a suspected cholera outbreak earlier in 2024, which reportedly claimed the lives of several residents, with women and children being the worst affected. Cholera, a preventable and treatable waterborne disease, often thrives in conditions of poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water, conditions still prevalent in many parts of Jigawa.
Gatafa village in Auyo Local Government Area emerged as one of the hardest-hit communities during the outbreak. According to a report by Channels Television, no fewer than 41 new graves were observed in the village cemetery, a chilling reminder of the deadly consequences of systemic neglect. Other communities affected include Auyakayi, Muran, Tsidir, Shawara, Tsaka, Majiya, Ayama, Anauya, and Kalgwai, all of which recorded fatalities and witnessed a rapid spread of the disease.
Health experts have repeatedly emphasized that outbreaks such as cholera are symptoms of deeper structural problems in the health and sanitation system. They argue that without bold approaches, even well-intentioned government policies will yield little impact.
As the state continues to implement its 2025 budget, stakeholders are calling for a more ambitious and transparent health spending plan, especially in areas related to disease prevention, clean water access, health worker training, and rural outreach.
The situation in Jigawa is a microcosm of broader challenges facing many Nigerian states, where limited health budgets, poor infrastructure, and governance gaps combine to endanger lives. As budget implementation progresses through the rest of the year, all eyes will be on whether Jigawa can scale up its response and prioritize health and human development.
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