The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has announced that states demonstrating outstanding performance in primary healthcare delivery will receive a total of $6.1 million through the third edition of its Primary HealthCare (PHC) Leadership Challenge Awards.
NGF Chairman, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, made the announcement while unveiling the awards, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. in Abuja.
A statement issued on Thursday by the NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, quoted AbdulRazaq describing the PHC Leadership Challenge as a national initiative that rewards exceptional leadership by state governors.
He said the initiative recognizes efforts aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services across the country.
Organised by the NGF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and UNICEF, with support from the Gates Foundation, the awards celebrate excellence in PHC delivery.
“The challenge has become a symbol of what strong and accountable leadership can achieve in Nigeria’s health system. It celebrates results, rewards performance, and ultimately delivers better care for our people,” AbdulRazaq said.
According to him, 13 awards will be presented, including two awards per geopolitical zone for ‘Best Performing’ and ‘Most Improved’ states, and one national award for the Overall Best Performing State.
“The award fund for this edition is $6.1 million. Winning states will reinvest their allocations directly into strengthening PHC systems,” he added.
AbdulRazaq explained that the challenge was rooted in the Seattle Declaration of 2019, unanimously adopted by all 36 state governors. The declaration serves as a catalyst for stronger governance, improved financing, and greater accountability in the PHC sector.
He noted that governors are assessed using a Performance Monitoring Framework jointly developed by PHC stakeholders and endorsed by all states through their commissioners for health.
“The independent judging panel comprises eminent public health professionals, academics, religious and traditional leaders, media representatives, and civil society organizations. These teams review assessments conducted by independent verification agents recruited through the United Nations’ rigorous selection process,” he said.
The PHC Leadership Challenge aims to fast-track commitments under the Seattle Declaration, reinforce political ownership of PHC outcomes, improve transparency, promote peer learning, and track state progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative Compact.
