The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has announced that states with outstanding primary‑healthcare performance will share a total of $6.1 million through the third edition of its Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Awards. The ceremony, scheduled for Friday in Abuja, will recognize and reward exceptional leadership by state governors in strengthening primary‑healthcare services across the country.
According to NGF Chairman Governor Abdul‑Rahman Abdul‑Razaq of Kwara State, the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge is a national initiative that celebrates results, rewards performance, and ultimately delivers better care for the people. The programme is organized by the NGF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and UNICEF, with support from the Gates Foundation. It has become a symbol of what strong, accountable leadership can achieve in Nigeria’s health system.
Thirteen awards will be presented at the event: two per geopolitical zone for “Best Performing” and “Most Improved” states, and one national award for the Overall Best Performing State. The $6.1 million award fund will be reinvested by the winning states directly into strengthening their primary‑healthcare systems.
The challenge is rooted in the Seattle Declaration of 2019, unanimously adopted by all 36 state governors. The declaration has catalyzed stronger governance, improved financing, and greater accountability in the primary‑healthcare sector. Governors are assessed using a Performance Monitoring Framework jointly developed by primary‑healthcare stakeholders and endorsed by all states through their commissioners for health. An independent judging panel—comprising eminent public‑health professionals, academics, religious and traditional leaders, media representatives, and civil‑society organizations—reviews assessments conducted by independent verification agents recruited through the United Nations’ rigorous selection process.
The PHC Leadership Challenge aims to fast‑track commitments under the Seattle Declaration, reinforce political ownership of primary‑healthcare outcomes, improve transparency, promote peer learning, and track state progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative Compact. Recognizing state governments’ efforts in improving primary‑healthcare delivery is critical to achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria. The $6.1 million award fund will support winning states in strengthening their primary‑healthcare systems, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for the population. The event is expected to promote healthy competition among states, encourage innovation, and foster collaboration in the primary‑healthcare sector.
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