The Federal Government has unveiled a N70 billion healthcare plan to improve dental services and tackle preventable oral diseases across Nigeria over the next five years.
The initiative will require financial contributions from federal, state and local governments as well as international development partners to expand access to treatment and reduce the number of Nigerians living with untreated dental conditions.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced the National Oral Health Strategic Plan 2026–2030 in Abuja on Monday during activities marking National Noma Day and National Oral Health Day.
Under the proposed financing arrangement, state and local governments are expected to provide 49% of the required funds, representing approximately N34.3 billion.
The Federal Government will contribute 30%, equivalent to N21 billion, while development partners are expected to provide the remaining 21%, or N14.7 billion.
However, the N70 billion represents the estimated cost of implementing the programme. The government has not confirmed that the entire amount has been secured.
The plan comes amid growing concerns about access to dental treatment in Nigeria, where the cost of healthcare continues to discourage many households from seeking medical attention.
According to Salako, more than 80% of Nigerians have never visited a dentist, while two out of every three children are living with untreated tooth decay.
Nigeria also has approximately one dentist for every 38,000 people, compared with the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one dentist to 7,500 people.
The shortage means many communities have limited access to professional dental services, particularly outside major cities.
To address the problem, the government plans to introduce more oral healthcare services into existing primary healthcare facilities rather than depend entirely on specialist hospitals.
The programme will support dental screening in schools, preventive treatment, improved access to fluoride toothpaste and the training of additional healthcare personnel.
It will also strengthen referral services and expand access to dental care across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Another major objective is to reduce the burden of noma, a serious but preventable disease that damages tissues around the mouth and face.
The condition primarily affects malnourished children and people with weakened immune systems. Without early treatment, it can cause permanent disability or death.
Salako identified northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West and North-East, as areas where the disease remains a major concern.
The ministry has already trained frontline health workers and other community-based healthcare providers in 19 states to improve the early identification of noma and related conditions.
The government has also incorporated noma surveillance into its existing disease-monitoring system.
Beyond the health benefits, the proposed investment could create opportunities for suppliers of dental equipment, pharmaceutical products, medical consumables and healthcare technology.
Expanding treatment at primary healthcare centres would also require additional personnel, training facilities and improvements to existing infrastructure.
However, implementation will depend heavily on the willingness and financial capacity of state and local governments to meet their contributions.
Several states already face competing demands for healthcare, education, infrastructure and personnel expenditure, raising questions about how consistently the programme can be funded over its five-year lifespan.
The expected contribution from development partners also remains dependent on their individual funding commitments.
For the programme to deliver meaningful results, the government will need to establish clear annual spending targets, monitor how funds are utilised and ensure that services reach communities where dental care is currently unavailable or unaffordable.
The Federal Executive Council has also approved the National Centre for Oral Health Establishment Bill 2026 and forwarded it to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
While the N70 billion proposal represents an effort to improve a neglected area of Nigeria’s healthcare system, its success will ultimately depend on sustained financing and the availability of qualified personnel to deliver treatment.