Overview of JAR 2025:

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), together with its MDAs, state governments, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society, and traditional and religious institutions, convened the 2025 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) from 12th to 14th November 2025 at the Transcorp Event Centre in Abuja. eHealth4everyone attended this year’s review as part of the private sector, contributing to conversations on digital transformation and data-driven health planning.

The three-day national Review assessed progress under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and aligned stakeholders around accelerating the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). Discussions focused on strengthening governance, improving service delivery, enhancing equity, and fast-tracking national targets for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The theme of this year’s JAR was ‘All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.’ Presided over by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Alongside Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Honorable Minister of State for Health. The Review gathered nearly 1,000 participants spanning government institutions, development partners, traditional bodies, ALGON, private sector organizations, the media and the public.

This year’s JAR was particularly significant, as it followed State-level JARs conducted for the first time, reaffirming Nigeria’s stronger commitment to the NHSRII Compact and the SWAp principles of One Plan, One Budget, One Report, and One Conversation.

 eHealth4Everyone Showcases MSDAT and HFR at the 2025 JAR:

As part of its participation, eHealth4Everyone presented two of its flagship digital health products: MSDAT and HFR, both of which were produced in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and have supported Nigeria’s health information ecosystem for years.

MSDAT (Multi-Source Data Analysis and Triangulation):

MSDAT is a powerful data analytics platform designed to bring together health information from multiple sources; routine systems, surveys and official government datasets, onto a single, user-friendly interface.
By unifying diverse data streams, MSDAT enables policymakers, researchers and health workers to easily access reliable data and make evidence-based decisions.

HFR (Health Facility Registry):

The Health Facility Registry (HFR)  is a comprehensive national database containing up-to-date information on all public and private health facilities in Nigeria. It categorizes facilities by type, function, ownership, and available personnel, offering a structured, reliable resource for planning, coordination, supervision, and health system strengthening.

Through these digital tools, eHealth4everyone continues to support Nigeria’s journey toward a more efficient, transparent and data-driven health sector.

Specific objectives for the 2025 JAR were:

1. Review national and state-level progress on NHSRII priorities and Compact commitments through data-driven performance assessments and accountability dialogues with partners.
2. Highlight best practices, innovations, and cross-sector opportunities that can be scaled or replicated across key thematic areas.
3. Collectively determine performance improvement actions and agree on priority resolutions and targets for the 2026 implementation cycle.

Major Highlights of JAR 2025:

• Nearly 1,000 participants attended, doubling 2024 numbers, including government, partners, private sector, traditional leaders, civil society, and media.
• UHC Compact Addendum signed, expanding engagement to the private sector, LGAs, and Traditional Institutions while strengthening accountability.
• NHSRII Spotlight Sessions highlighted: maternal & neonatal mortality reduction, PHC improvements, social health insurance uptake, local manufacturing progress, health security strengthening, and governance/financing transitions.
• Digital tools showcased: BHCPF platform, national e-learning system, PHC revitalization dashboards, SAVE MAMA (RESMAT), NHIA claims platform.
• First-of-its-kind dialogue on corruption addressed fiduciary risk and the BHCPF case study, generating actionable commitments for transparency.
• Expanded ICC session reviewed immunization performance, data quality, vaccine financing, and 2026 targets.
• Flagship exhibition & learning showcase featured 45+ abstracts and exhibits from MDAs, states, partners, and private innovators.
• The Interactive People’s Pulse Town Hall allowed citizens to share experiences on cost, service quality, facility responsiveness, and health worker behavior.
• The Technical Assistance (TA) Pool Committee inaugurated to guide deployment of support aligned with SWAp priorities

Key Observations from the 2025 Health Sector Review:

1.   Governance & Accountability:

• Positive: UHC Compact strengthens multi-level accountability.
• Setback: Subnational implementation uneven; coordination and data use inconsistent.

2.  Maternal & Newborn Health:

• Positive: Maternal mortality reduced by up to 17%; ANC coverage improving.
• Setback: Limited CEmONC readiness (32% facilities); blood supply shortages.

3.   PHC Functionality & Service Readiness:

• Positive: Improved service availability, electricity, and WASH standards.
• Setback: Staffing gaps, stockouts, and limited CEmONC capacity remain.

4.   Health Financing & Financial Resilience:

• Positive: Expanded BHCPF and health insurance coverage; improved claims processing.
• Setback: Delayed budgets and declining external funding threaten programs.

5.   Data & Evidence for Decision-Making:

• Positive: NHFR, NHMIS, MSDAT, Mini-DHS integration strengthens planning.
• Setback: Routine data use and validation at state/LGA levels remain weak.

6.   Market-Shaping & Local Production:

• Positive: Engagement with 40+ private entities; early wins in syringes, PPE.
• Setback: Scaling requires sustained policy support, regulatory clarity, and guaranteed demand.

7.   Integrity, Transparency & Systems Strengthening:

• Positive: Anti-fraud and digital financial systems being strengthened.
• Setback: Ghost workers, irregular payments, and weak fiscal tracking persist.

8.   Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH):

• Positive: Policies and state-level platforms in place.
• Setback: Only 30% of facilities provide full SRH services; 86% face access barriers.

9.    Immunization:

• Positive: Some progress under Gavi framework.
• Setback: Vaccine financing indicators affected by fiscal constraints.

Summary of 2025 Health Sector JAR Resolutions:

The 2025 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to government-led, accountable, and data-driven health service delivery, in line with international donor coordination commitments. Key resolutions include:

• Operationalize the UHC Compact Addendum: by Q1 2026 with clear Ask-and-Offer commitments and robust tracking.
• Strengthen human resources and transparency: biometric verification across PHCs and insurance platforms to eliminate ghost workers; rollout digital expenditure tracking and strengthen oversight in BHCPF-supported facilities.
• Enhance data quality and use: optimize DHIS2, implement quality assessments, and promote a strong data culture at all levels.
• Advance HRH reforms: establish a National HRH program and deploy new cadres aligned with emerging service-delivery priorities.
• Scale MAMII and SRH programs: expand maternal, newborn, and sexual/reproductive health services; address financing gaps; integrate family planning and post-abortion care; strengthen community engagement and life-cycle programming.
• Digital transformation and e-health tools: eHealth4Everyone showcased MSDAT and NHFR. Other digital solutions, like the BHCPF platform, were also showcased, supporting data visibility, performance measurement, coordination, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Financial management & health financing: deploy PHC Financial Management System; expand health insurance coverage to 5 million Nigerians, including 1 million vulnerable persons; ensure full counterpart funding for vaccines.
• Strengthen local manufacturing & supply chains: operationalize Medipool, incentivize private investment, and transition at least 20 priority commodities to local production with five new plants by 2026.
• Strengthen state and LGA systems: improve resource mobilization, emergency response capacity, inter-agency collaboration, facility readiness, and accountability for drug revolving funds.
• Resource pooling & mutual accountability: adopt data-guided monitoring, optimize state investments, and implement co-financing arrangements with development partners.

eHealth4everyone’s Commitment to Strengthening Health Systems in Nigeria:

eHealth4everyone is deeply committed to the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), supporting Nigeria’s journey toward more coordinated, efficient and accountable health systems. By aligning with national priorities and leveraging digital innovation, the organization aims to strengthen planning, data use, and service delivery across all levels of care.

Central to this effort are MSDAT and HFR, two of eHealth4Everyone’s flagship digital platforms launched by the Minister Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. Through these tools, eHealth4Everyone contributes meaningfully to SWAp by enhancing data visibility, improving accountability, and supporting integrated decision-making.

Conclusion:

The meeting concluded with appreciation to key stakeholders, including federal and state health leaders, development partners (GAVI, World Bank, WHO), and traditional rulers, emphasizing shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s health sector.