A constitutional and human rights lawyer, Ikenna Ahumibe, has expressed serious concern over what he described as the Federal Government’s continued failure to reform Nigeria’s healthcare system for the benefit of citizens.

Ahumibe stressed that healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental right, insisting that any government unable to guarantee the well-being of its people has fallen short of its constitutional responsibility. He argued that the state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria reflects neglect, weak infrastructure, and persistent policy failures.

In a statement titled “Nigeria’s Constitutional Crisis in the Health Sector: A Direct Call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Comprehensive Health Sector Reforms,” he urged the administration of Bola Tinubu to take urgent corrective action.

He lamented that only about 4.2% of the 2026 national budget was allocated to healthcare, describing it as grossly inadequate and below global standards. According to him, the underfunding has worsened the country’s health outcomes and weakened public confidence in the system.

Ahumibe further highlighted the worsening “japa” trend among medical professionals, noting that many Nigerian doctors are leaving the country due to poor salaries, unpaid wages, repeated strikes, insecurity, and deteriorating working conditions. He also warned that rising cases of kidnappings targeting healthcare workers are further crippling the system.

He added that thousands of Nigerians travel abroad monthly for medical treatment, particularly to countries such as India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, due to gaps in local healthcare services. He estimated that Nigeria loses about $550 million annually to medical tourism, with patients spending between $20,000 and $40,000 per trip.

According to him, institutions such as the National Hospital Abuja and the Federal Medical Centre Owerri are facing severe infrastructural and capacity challenges. He alleged that shortages of critical equipment such as MRI machines, dialysis units, and cancer treatment facilities have led to preventable deaths, while overcrowding and inadequate space have worsened patient care.

He also cited constitutional concerns, arguing that the conditions in some public hospitals violate Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the dignity of the human person.

Ahumibe criticised what he described as misplaced government priorities, urging authorities to focus on urgent healthcare reforms rather than non-essential projects.

He called on the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, to urgently overhaul the health sector, while also urging the National Assembly to strengthen oversight and ensure accountability in healthcare funding and implementation.

He concluded that continued neglect of the health sector is not just poor governance but a breach of constitutional duty that endangers millions of lives.