PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Public health policy in Nigeria stands at the intersection of governance, administration, and service delivery. Despite the adoption of several policy frameworks such as the National Health Policy (NHP), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) reforms, and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges that undermine effective health governance. These include bureaucratic bottlenecks, weak institutional frameworks, corruption, inadequate funding, inequitable access to healthcare services, and limited accountability mechanisms. This article interrogates the role of public administration in shaping health policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in Nigeria. Anchored on public policy and institutional theories, the study employs a qualitative research method, supported by secondary data from government reports, World Health Organization (WHO) databases, and scholarly publications. The analysis highlights that while health policy goals in Nigeria are ambitious, poor administrative capacity has hindered their realization. Evidence shows persistent regional disparities in healthcare delivery, weak monitoring and evaluation systems, and the dominance of political patronage in health resource allocation. Findings also reveal that reforms targeting digital health governance, decentralization, and increased citizen participation hold promise for improved service delivery. The study argues that strengthening administrative structures, adopting evidence-based policymaking, and curbing systemic corruption are crucial for Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. The paper concludes with recommendations for reform, emphasizing accountability, adequate financing, and the professionalization of health administration as pathways toward effective policy implementation.