Evaluation of UK health system strengthening programmes in Nigeria

This evaluation reviews FCDO's £1 billion investment in Nigerian healthcare over two decades, using a theory-based approach to analyse interventions across five key areas amid a complex political landscape. It also draws lessons to inform future interventions implemented by British High Commission (BHC) Nigeria, the wider FCDO, other donors and government partners in Nigeria.

It analysed health systems strengthening interventions implemented through eighteen FCDO funded health programmes in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the following:

• Partnership for Transforming Health Systems phases 1 and 2 (PATHS 1 and PATHS2)
• Partnership for Reviving Routine immunisation in Northern Nigeria - Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme (PRRINN-MNCH)
• Maternal and Newborn Child Health Programme (MNCH2)
• Lafiya - UK Support for Health in Nigeria

The evaluation assessed effectiveness, relevance, coherence and value for money, identifying what has worked and what has not - to strengthen the Nigerian health system. Rather than focusing on accountability, it aimed to extract key lessons across various interventions to inform future health initiatives. It took a theory and case-study based approach involving review of numerous documents and 150 stakeholder interviews. It was conducted between April 2024 and March 2025.