Abuja, Nigeria – While global leaders such as the Israeli Prime Minister and the Brazilian President receive medical care within their respective countries, Nigerian presidents continue to seek treatment abroad, despite the hefty annual budgets allocated to the Presidential Clinic in Abuja.
Over the past four years, Nigeria has directed significant funding toward the clinic:
- 2020: ₦416.6 million
- 2021: ₦1.06 billion
- 2022: ₦20.8 billion
- 2023: ₦393.66 million
In 2022, an astonishing ₦20.8 billion was earmarked for the construction and furnishing of a 14-bed Presidential Clinic intended to serve the President, Vice President, and top government officials. By March of that year, ₦10.06 billion had already been disbursed to expedite the development of the clinic’s VIP section. Another ₦393.66 million was proposed in 2023 to further the project.
However, despite these extensive investments, Nigerian leaders, including Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, continue to seek medical treatment abroad,Buhari frequently in the UK and Tinubu in France. This ongoing practice raises pressing concerns about the effectiveness and functionality of the Presidential Clinic, as well as the accountability of public funds designated for its development.
The controversy deepened when Aisha Buhari, wife of the former president, revealed that the clinic lacked even essential medical supplies, such as syringes. This startling disclosure highlights the disconnect between the enormous budget allocations and the actual state of the facility.
Given the billions of naira reportedly spent, why is the Presidential Clinic still failing to fulfill its intended purpose? This question remains a source of frustration for Nigerians, fueling public outcry and demands for transparency. The situation underscores deeper governance issues, accountability concerns, and misallocation of public resources in Nigeria.
As the country’s top officials continue to rely on overseas medical services, the Presidential Clinic serves as a stark reminder of unfulfilled promises and mismanagement. Urgent reforms are needed to ensure its functionality and restore public trust in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
