SOKOTO’S NINE-SMART AGENDA

The state government is committed to strengthening primary healthcare and improving service delivery, says SHUAIBU ABUBAKAR.

International development partners rarely praise a Nigerian leader unless that leader has made deliberate efforts to put the health of the people first, with visible results. In Sokoto State, under Governor Ahmad Aliyu, a quiet revolution is underway: hospitals that once lay dormant are becoming active, and primary health centres are turning into reliable first points of care.

Previously, many public health facilities in Sokoto were mere shells—structures without staff, with scarce or outdated equipment, and with health workers unevenly distributed, especially leaving rural communities vulnerable. This situation made it difficult to prevent or respond to health challenges, particularly for women and children, and led to grim statistics.

Today, that narrative is changing through the state government’s 9‑SMART agenda on health. The framework drives a coordinated effort to renovate facilities and revitalize the entire system, moving beyond selective interventions to create depth and sustainability.

One clear sign of this shift is the growing confidence of development partners. Institutions such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Solina Group, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the African Field Epidemiology Network have publicly praised the state’s commitment to healthcare reform.

These endorsements reflect measurable actions: infrastructure upgrades, increased funding for immunisation programmes, and clearer policy direction. In Sokoto, these efforts appear to be converging, signalling a serious commitment.

The commitment was highlighted at the 8th Sokoto State Government Council on Health Meeting, which brought together high‑level policymakers, development partners, and health sector stakeholders. The meeting, organised by the State Ministry of Health and in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), reviewed progress and refined strategies under the 9‑SMART Innovation Agenda, with a focus on strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring vulnerable populations are not left behind.

During the meeting, UNFPA announced a commitment of over ₦4.6 billion in funding for healthcare delivery in 2026. The funding includes a new Community Midwifery Scholarship and Bonding Scheme that will provide full scholarships to 500 young women from hard‑to‑reach communities to study midwifery. According to UNFPA’s Assistant Representative, Audu Alayande, 250 beneficiaries will be trained this year, with another 250 the following year. Graduates will be deployed directly to rural primary healthcare centres and must remain in their rural posting for at least two years after graduation.

This programme is more than training; it is a targeted intervention to address the shortage of skilled birth attendants in underserved areas, linking education to deployment to prevent urban clustering of trained personnel.

Complementing this, the state government has recruited and deployed over 1,500 nurses and midwives to underserved communities, backed by a two‑year mandatory rural posting policy to promote equitable distribution of healthcare workers across the state.

While such policies can face resistance from health workers who prefer urban postings, the state has introduced incentives to encourage compliance, recognising that policy must be supported by practical measures.

Beyond personnel, the state is investing in essential medical supplies. Sexual, reproductive, and other essential drugs are being distributed to all 23 local government areas, targeting high‑burden primary healthcare centres where the need is greatest.

The First Lady, Fatima Aliyu, is involved in this aspect of the intervention, adding visibility and advocacy, especially for issues affecting women and children. Symbolic participation can help sustain attention on critical social issues where awareness is as important as access.

Collectively, these efforts show a government that is not merely reacting to health challenges but attempting to anticipate and systematically address them. A strong primary healthcare system is globally recognised as the backbone of effective health delivery and a foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Healthcare reform is a long‑term endeavour, and sustaining momentum will require consistent funding, monitoring, and policy execution. The gains made so far must be protected from the pitfalls of political transitions and bureaucratic inertia, a challenge that will test the people of Sokoto at the polls and their support for Governor Aliyu’s re‑election.

For now, evidence suggests that Sokoto State is moving in a direction that prioritises people over optics. The transformation of neglected facilities into centres of hope, deliberate investment in human resources, and strategic partnerships with global health institutions point to a model that, if sustained, could redefine healthcare delivery in the state.

Clearly, the state government remains fully committed to protecting women and children. In a country where healthcare often competes with other priorities, Aliyu’s commitment is not only commendable but necessary.

Abubakar writes from Sokoto