The Federal Ministry of Health has trained no fewer than 150 programme managers to strengthen health systems at the national level as part of ongoing reforms under the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative (NHSRI).
This was disclosed by Dr Babagana Abba, the Sector-Wide Approach (SWA) Desk Officer, on Monday during the opening of a four-day workshop in Damaturu, Yobe State, themed “Leadership, Health System Strengthening, and Health Planning Capacity Development.”
Dr Abba explained that the training initiative is aimed at enhancing programme-level execution of national health priorities, with particular emphasis on strengthening leadership, planning, and technical capacity at all levels of the health system.
“The training targets programme officers and managers—those directly responsible for implementing health programmes at the state, local government, and community levels,” Abba stated.
He noted that while previous workshops were held for senior policymakers, this phase of the cascade focuses on frontline health managers, ensuring that technical knowledge and planning skills permeate all operational levels.
According to him, similar workshops had already been conducted in Enugu State and the Federal Capital Territory, with the current session in Yobe drawing over 70 programme managers and development partners.
“The objective is to improve coherence, promote data-driven decision-making, and ensure alignment of state-level interventions with national health priorities,” Abba added.
He urged participants to actively engage in the sessions and disseminate the knowledge acquired across their respective departments and agencies.
“By the time we begin to develop 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.
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2026 AOP to Test Effectiveness of Health Sector Reforms – Prof. Pate
Addressing the participants virtually, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasised the importance of the 2026 AOP as a critical benchmark for the implementation of Nigeria’s flagship health sector reforms.
“We are at a point where we must abandon business as usual. The 2026 plan is our opportunity to show Nigerians that our reforms can deliver results,” said Prof. Pate, represented by his Technical Adviser, Dr Isa Bukar.
He acknowledged that while reforms take time, visible progress must be evident before the 2027 general elections, when political priorities may shift.
Reflecting on the lessons from the 2025 AOP, the minister noted that for the first time, the planning process experienced nationwide collaboration and alignment.
The focus for 2026, he said, would be on realistic, rational, and people-centred plans that are budget-integrated and data-informed.
“We must close technical capacity gaps, strengthen data systems, and equip programme officers with skills in systems thinking, data interpretation, and evidence-based planning,” he concluded.
Partners Applaud Targeted, Results-Oriented Approach
Dr Musa Matazu, a representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, described the training as a first-of-its-kind intervention that bridges data use, planning, and measurable outcomes.
“This is the first time we are seeing such a targeted training that focuses on systems strengthening, problem-solving, and planning for impact,” he said.
He noted that a common misconception among health managers is to reduce health systems to staffing and supplies.
In contrast, a robust health system encompasses governance, human resources, commodities, demand generation, monitoring and evaluation, and supportive supervision.
“Yobe State has shown strong commitment to partner collaboration and resource mobilisation. With this kind of training, states will be able to deliver more than their budgets suggest,” Dr Matazu added.