INGRA Hails Kogi’s 3rd-Place Ranking In Health Capital Spending, Seeks More Workers

The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) has commended the Kogi State Government for ranking among Nigeria’s top three states in health capital expenditure relative to state revenue in 2025, while calling for increased recruitment of health workers and stronger accountability in the sector.

INGRA, in a statement by its Executive Director, Hamza Ibrahim Aliyu, said its analysis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum State Actuals for 2020–2025 showed that Kogi spent an amount equivalent to 7.08 per cent of its reported revenue on health capital projects in 2025.

The organisation said the figure placed Kogi third among the states covered by the analysis, behind Ondo and Oyo States.

It described the ranking as an encouraging sign of increased government attention to healthcare but stressed that higher spending must translate into better access to quality health services for residents.

INGRA identified the recruitment and retention of health workers as a major priority, noting that hospitals and primary healthcare centres needed adequate numbers of doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory professionals and community health workers to function effectively.

It warned that investments in buildings, equipment and other infrastructure would have limited impact if healthcare facilities remained understaffed.

The organisation therefore urged the state government to assess its health workforce needs and introduce a phased recruitment programme, with priority given to rural and underserved communities.

It also called for better incentives and working conditions for health workers, continuous professional development and adequate supplies of medicines, diagnostic equipment and other essential materials in upgraded facilities.

On accountability, INGRA urged the government to regularly publish details of health-sector budget allocations, fund releases and actual expenditure.

It said the reports should distinguish between capital and recurrent spending and show how funds were distributed across healthcare facilities, programmes and local government areas.

The organisation added that residents should be able to track government spending, including the projects executed, their locations, costs and impact on healthcare delivery.

It also called for periodic publication of health expenditure and performance reports, stronger legislative and civil society oversight, and accessible mechanisms for citizens to monitor health projects, staffing levels, drug availability and essential services in their communities.

INGRA said the government should investigate and publicly explain gaps where substantial expenditure was reported but facilities lacked adequate personnel, medicines, diagnostic services or essential equipment.

It stressed that accountability should cover the entire expenditure process, from budget approval and fund releases to actual spending, service delivery and measurable outcomes.

While commending Kogi’s performance in the 2025 analysis, the organisation said the ultimate measure of progress should be whether increased investment improved healthcare access and outcomes.

It identified the availability of skilled health workers for pregnant women, timely treatment for children, functional laboratories and access to quality healthcare in rural communities as important indicators of progress.

INGRA urged the state government to sustain its health-sector investment while prioritising workforce development, transparency and public accountability to ensure that increased spending delivers tangible benefits to residents.