The Federal Government has called about 150 trained health personnel to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice in a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s system.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the call was made on Monday during a four-day workshop in Damaturu, Yobe State, as part of the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative (NHSRI).
The event, themed “Leadership, Health System Strengthening, and Health Planning Capacity Development,” brought together over 70 programme managers and development partners from across the country.
Dr Babagana Abba, the Sector-Wide Approach Desk Officer, said the training focused on building the capacity of frontline medical managers to improve planning, leadership, and technical delivery of medical services.
“The training targets programme officers and managers—those directly responsible for implementing health programmes at the state, local government, and community levels,” he explained.
According to Dr Abba, similar workshops had already taken place in Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory, intending to ensure that medical officers at all levels understand and implement national health priorities effectively.
He urged the participants to actively take part in the sessions and to share their knowledge with their teams, stating that this would help prepare for the development of the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
“We want every health worker—whether at the state or community level—to be informed, involved, and working towards common national goals,” he said.
Health minister speaks
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, addressed the participants virtually.
He described the 2026 AOP as a vital tool for achieving the country’s flagship reforms and urged medical workers to focus on people-centred, data-driven planning.
Represented by his Technical Adviser, Dr Isa Bukar, Prof. Pate added, “This is not the time for business as usual. Nigerians must see results, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.”
Dr Musa Matazu, speaking on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, praised the programme, calling it a results-oriented approach that connects planning with real impact.
“This is the first time we are seeing such a targeted training that focuses on systems strengthening, problem-solving, and planning for impact,” Dr Matazu said.
He commended Yobe State for showing leadership in resource mobilisation and partnership, adding that other states could achieve even more if they applied the same commitment.
The training is expected to boost the capacity of medical managers nationwide and help Nigeria deliver better healthcare outcomes.
