State Government collaborates with federal partners to strengthen healthcare delivery and accessibility
The Kogi State Government has taken a bold step toward reshaping its healthcare landscape with the commencement of the development and harmonization of the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the state health sector. The initiative, spearheaded by the Kogi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, is expected to serve as a guiding framework for healthcare delivery, funding, and policy implementation across the state.
Inaugurating the AOP development session at Barcelona Hotel, Blantyre Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, underscored the significance of the plan, describing it as a “living document” that will provide strategic direction and serve as a benchmark for measuring progress within the sector. He expressed optimism that the 2026 AOP would drive innovation, foster accountability, and ensure improved health outcomes for the people of Kogi State.
Dr. Adeiza commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for prioritizing healthcare at the national level through increased resources allocated to the sector. He further praised Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for making healthcare one of the flagship priorities of his administration. The Commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello, whose efforts, he said, laid a strong foundation for the ongoing reforms in the state’s health system.
Calling on stakeholders to commit fully to the process, Dr. Adeiza reassured participants that funding for healthcare in the state would receive improved attention. He urged them to work with a results-oriented mindset, emphasizing that the success of the plan depends on their dedication to strengthening the system and addressing challenges that have long hindered service delivery.
During the technical session, Dr. Asiru Adamu from the National SWAP Office stressed the central role of the Annual Operational Plan in driving health policies at both the state and national levels. He urged participants to embrace innovative and improvement-driven approaches while implementing health activities in their respective agencies and institutions. According to him, avoiding a repeat of past mistakes and adopting creative solutions will be crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of the 2026 plan.
Speaking on the unique position of the state in championing this process, Mr. Johnson Aieyedogbon, Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Kogi State Ministry of Health, described the development as historic. He proudly noted that Kogi has become the first state in the country to commence work on its 2026 Annual Operational Plan, a feat he said reflects the administration’s strong commitment to advancing healthcare for its citizens. Aieyedogbon added that the relocation of the session from Lokoja to Abuja was a deliberate decision to foster concentration and maximize the contributions of participants throughout the week-long exercise.
Also contributing, Dr. Emmanuel Bola Jonah, the desk officer overseeing the SWAP budgeting approach, explained that the methodology being applied in the development of the AOP aligns seamlessly with the state’s budgetary process. He noted that producing an operational framework ahead of the budget will not only ensure coherence but will also allow for progressive resource allocation that directly addresses the state’s health needs.
Representatives of development partners present at the event applauded the Kogi State Government for its commitment to strengthening the health sector. They highlighted the visible impact of ongoing reforms and expressed confidence that the 2026 AOP would further enhance the effectiveness of the state’s healthcare delivery system under the current administration.
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