The Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked hundreds of billions of naira for teaching hospitals in the 2025 fiscal year, with the Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital emerging as the highest-funded institution, receiving an allocation of ₦64.5 billion.
This development was confirmed in data released by the Budget Office of the Federation and analyzed by Statisense, sparking conversations about the priorities and funding patterns of Nigeria’s healthcare and medical education sector. The figures cover the recurrent and capital expenditure allocations to teaching hospitals, which are central to Nigeria’s medical education, residency training, and specialized healthcare services.
Coming second on the list is the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, which received ₦51.9 billion. This represents the highest allocation in the Southeast region, signaling federal attention to a key medical training hub in the region.
In third place is the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) with ₦47.2 billion allocated for 2025. Despite Lagos being Nigeria’s most populous city and commercial hub, stakeholders have raised concerns that LUTH’s allocation falls behind NAUTH and Aminu Kano’s, given Lagos’ growing healthcare demands.
The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, received the fourth highest allocation at ₦42.2 billion, maintaining the Southwest region’s position as a significant player in medical education and tertiary healthcare delivery.
The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) follows closely with ₦41.2 billion, highlighting an effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the South-South region. In the same region, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) received ₦34.2 billion, while the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) was allocated ₦33.2 billion, ranking 11th and 12th respectively on the national list.
In the North Central region, the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) secured ₦39.9 billion, while the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, was allocated ₦38.7 billion, positioning it as the second-highest recipient in the Southeast.
The Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina received ₦38.2 billion, while the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), one of the largest teaching hospitals in Nigeria by land mass and bed space, got ₦38.1 billion, placing it ninth on the list. The Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) completes the top ten with an allocation of ₦35.9 billion.
A breakdown of the regional distribution shows significant federal investment across all zones. The North West (represented by Aminu Kano and Katsina) and Southeast (represented by NAUTH, UNTH, and FETHA) dominate the top ranks, while Southwest teaching hospitals like OAUTH and LUTH maintain key positions.
Education and health policy analysts say the teaching hospital budget reflects not just medical services, but also the training of future doctors, surgeons, and nurses, as teaching hospitals serve as clinical training grounds for university medical students.
However, some stakeholders argue that despite these allocations, much of the budget often goes into recurrent costs like salaries, while capital projects such as infrastructure upgrades, research facilities, and medical equipment are still underfunded. This leaves patients and students grappling with outdated facilities and medical equipment.
The Nigerian health sector is currently facing a brain drain, with doctors and nurses leaving the country in large numbers for better opportunities abroad. Experts say improved funding and better utilization of resources in teaching hospitals could help stem the tide.
Medical students and residents in several universities who spoke to The Nigeria Education News expressed hope that the 2025 budget will translate into better medical education, improved clinical experience, and a reduction in strikes by health workers due to poor working conditions.
As the 2025 budget cycle unfolds, all eyes will be on how the allocations are implemented, whether teaching hospitals will finally receive the facelift needed to meet global standards, and if this funding will translate into better healthcare outcomes for Nigerians.
