Again, Kwara Emerges Best In PHC Leadership Challenge Award, Secures $400,000 Grant

The Kwara State Government last Friday, earned national recognition after emerging as the Best Performing State in the north central  in the 2025 Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge.

The latest feat makes the third consecutive year that Kwara State  received this prestigious honour, a testament to the administration’s unwavering dedication to advancing primary healthcare delivery for the citizenry.

This year’s award comes with a $400,000 grant, strictly designated for strengthening PHC infrastructure and expanding access to essential services, in accordance with the guidelines of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

The award was received on behalf of the state government by the First Lady of Kwara State, Prof.  Olufolake AbdulRazaq, commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, executive secretary, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu; and executive secretary, Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KWHIA), Dr. Olubunmi Jentawo-Winter.

Expressing her delight, the executive secretary, KWSPHCDA, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, commended the Governor AbdulRazaq for his visionary leadership, far-reaching reforms and sustained investment in strengthening the primary healthcare system.

“This award is yet another validation of the Governor’s steadfast commitment to building a resilient, people-centred primary health care system in Kwara State. It takes visionary leadership to sustain such progress year after year and His Excellency has continued to demonstrate that the health and wellbeing of Kwarans remain a core priority,” she said.

Elelu emphasised that primary healthcare remains the foundation and entry point of any effective health system, noting that the progress recorded over the past few years reflected deliberate policy choices, increased funding, facility upgrades and improved coordination across the 16 local government areas of the state.

She also appreciated the PHC Leadership Challenge committee, management and  staff of KWSPHCDA for their exceptional commitment, teamwork and professionalism that made the milestone possible.

“I sincerely commend the dedication of the Committee and all the staff of the Agency. Your commitment to duty, innovation in service delivery and passion for community health have once again placed Kwara State on the national map. This third consecutive win is a collective victory and a motivation for us to do even more,” she said.

Elelu said  that the agency would deploy the newly earned resources transparently and strategically to enhance service delivery, expand infrastructure and bring quality healthcare even closer to communities across the state.

The PHC Leadership Challenge is a peer-review initiative designed to inspire subnational governments to improve primary healthcare performance, strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure sustainable health outcomes.