Yobe State Clinches Top Honour at National Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge
Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant recognition of dedication and progress in public health, Yobe State has been awarded the overall Best Performing State at the third edition of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) National Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Awards. The prestigious event, held in Abuja, brought together state leaders, federal health officials, and international partners to celebrate advancements in grassroots healthcare delivery.
The awards ceremony, a collaborative effort between the NGF, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and UNICEF, with crucial support from the Gates Foundation, aims to foster accountability and healthy competition among Nigerian states. The ultimate goal is to drive improvements in health outcomes and the quality of care provided at the community level.
Yobe State’s exceptional commitment to strengthening its primary healthcare services earned it the coveted grand prize of $700,000. This victory was compounded by also securing the Zonal Best Performing State award for the North-East, which came with an additional $500,000, bringing Yobe State’s total winnings to an impressive $1.2 million.
The Zonal Best Performing State awards, each carrying a $500,000 prize, were also presented to:
* Nasarawa State for the North-Central zone.
* Zamfara State for the North-West zone.
* Abia State for the South-East zone.
* Rivers State for the South-South zone.
* Osun State for the South-West zone.
The first runners-up in the Best Performing State category were also recognized, receiving $400,000 each. These states included:
* Gombe State (North-East)
* Kwara State (North-Central)
* Kaduna State (North-West)
* Anambra State (South-East)
* Bayelsa State (South-South)
* Ogun State (South-West)
The NGF announced that the total prize money awarded, amounting to $6.1 million, is earmarked for reinvestment by the winning states. These funds are intended to further bolster primary healthcare infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and strengthen the human resource capacity within these states.
This initiative aligns directly with the Federal Government’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which places paramount importance on fortifying the PHC system as the cornerstone of achieving universal health coverage for all Nigerians.
Vice President Urges Continued State Support for Health Sector
Representing the Federal Government, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was present at the event, extended his congratulations to all the award recipients. He lauded the state governors for their leadership and unwavering support in the pursuit of improved health outcomes across the nation.
The Vice President, represented by the Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate, emphasized that constructive competition, exemplified by the PHC Leadership Challenge, ultimately benefits the entire country. He highlighted the substantial progress witnessed in the health sector since state governors committed to a long-term compact with President Bola Tinubu two years prior. “Between 2024 and now, we’ve seen 20 states surpassing their targets in 2024,” he noted, underscoring the positive momentum.
Vice President Shettima also pointed to the increased budgetary allocations for health by the states, with many now dedicating approximately ₦2.6 billion, a marked improvement from previous figures. He reiterated the fundamental link between a healthy populace and national development.
A Call for Increased Investment and Affordability
Looking ahead, Vice President Shettima issued a clear call to action for state governors, urging them to escalate their investments in the healthcare sector. He projected that total health sector allocations should reach a minimum of ₦3.5 trillion in the upcoming fiscal year, considering the available resources at the state level.
Acknowledging the persistent challenge of healthcare affordability for many Nigerians, the Vice President revealed that the Federal Government is actively intervening to reduce the costs associated with drugs, diagnostics, and medical tests, particularly for economically disadvantaged citizens. He stressed the critical need for state governments to actively support these federal efforts.
Vice President Shettima expressed optimism that within the next five years, Nigeria will achieve greater self-sufficiency in its health sector investments, thereby lessening its reliance on external aid.
Governors Pledge Continued Commitment and Reinvestment
Speaking on behalf of the award-winning states, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State expressed profound gratitude for the initiative and pledged that the states would strive to elevate their performance even further in 2026.
“I just want to say we are very grateful, and we know that the reward for hard work is more work. So, we assure you that we are going to raise the bar,” Governor Otti stated. He elaborated on the states’ perspective on healthcare spending: “For us, the spend on health care, we don’t spend it as an investment, because once you begin to look at investment, the next thing you will know will be return. We see investment in health care as a necessary condition for people to survive in your states. So, we don’t think that this is money you are investing and tomorrow you will get a commission. It is an essential part of your life.”
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, speaking to journalists, assured that the $500,000 won by his state would be strategically reinvested to refurbish several primary healthcare centres within Zamfara. “It is very exciting to see someone recognising what you do and I will continue to do more. We were spending our own money, and this is additional fund, we are going to put the money in the PHC in Zamfara State,” he affirmed. Despite acknowledging that inadequate funding remains a significant hurdle, Governor Lawal reiterated the Zamfara State government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the health sector.
NGF Highlights Progress and Future Commitments
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noted the significance of the event, marking exactly two years since the landmark Health Sector Renewal Compact was signed by President Tinubu, the 36 state governors, and development partners.
Represented by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the NGF Chairman expressed satisfaction with the remarkable improvements observed across the Federation over the past three editions of the awards. “The steady progress from the first to the second round—and now to the third—demonstrates clearly that when leadership is intentional and accountable, measurable and transformative change is possible,” he remarked.
He further detailed the tangible progress: “Indeed, over the last three years, States have increased their budget allocations to health, resulting in significant infrastructural upgrades across PHC facilities and expanded recruitment of human resources for health.” He provided concrete figures, stating that the combined health budget for the 36 states has grown substantially, from ₦831 billion in 2022, to ₦927 billion in 2023, ₦1.4 trillion in 2024, and is projected to reach ₦2.36 trillion in 2025. A significant portion, 30% of these annual budgets, is dedicated to Primary Health Care. The impact of these investments is also being reflected in observed reductions in institutional maternal mortality.
The NGF has also implemented a series of scorecards to monitor state commitments and enhance accountability across key health initiatives. The Chairman announced that an expanded scorecard, designed to track subnational commitments to the Health Sector Renewal Compact, will be released in 2026. This tool will enable governors to transparently monitor and uphold their pledges.
Looking towards the future, the NGF reaffirmed its dedication to the aspirations of the Seattle Declaration. “The progress we have made through the PHC Leadership Challenge affirms that these commitments are not mere declarations but responsibilities we continue to pursue with diligence and focus—so that every Nigerian, regardless of location or circumstance, can access quality Primary Health Care,” the NGF Chairman concluded.