By Rotimi Odofin.
The Kogi State Government has commenced the development of its 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Rotimi Odofin,
Information Officer
Ministry of Health
Kogi State on Tuesday and copied The Reporters.
He said the initiative,inaugurated by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, is being led by the Kogi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners.
According to him,the exercise focuses on the formulation, harmonization, and finalization of the 2026 AOP,a strategic document that will guide healthcare activities, track progress, and ensure improved service delivery.
Odofin added that the development session, a week-long engagement, was formally inaugurated this we at the Barcelona Hotel, Blantyre Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, having been relocated from Lokoja to ensure participants’ concentration and effective contributions.
The explained that the 2026 AOP is designed to provide a clear framework for operational activities, align with the state’s annual budget, and ensure that healthcare delivery remains a top priority of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration. The initiative also builds on the foundation laid by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The information officer further disclosed that the plan is being developed using the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) budgeting method, which aligns state-level planning with national health programs.
“Development partners, senior state health officials, and technical experts are working together to design innovative strategies that address past shortcomings and promote sustainable improvements in the health sector,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr. Adeiza expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increased national funding support for healthcare and reaffirmed the Ododo administration’s commitment to improved financing. He urged participants to dedicate their efforts to advancing the health sector.
Other speakers, including Dr. Asiru Adamu of the National SWAP Office, stressed the need for creative, improvement-oriented approaches in implementing health policies.
Contributing,Mr. Johnson Aieyedogbon, Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, highlighted that Kogi is the first state in Nigeria to initiate the development of the 2026 AOP, underscoring its leadership role in health planning.
The session had in attendance top health officials such as Mr. Aziz Steven Momoh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Dr. Folagbade Oluseyi, CMD of Kogi State Specialist Hospital; Dr. Aledare Adekunle, Executive Secretary, State Health Insurance Agency; Dr. Muazu Omeiza Musa, Executive Director, State Primary Health Care Development Agency; and other key stakeholders.
Development partners present commended the Kogi State Government for its strong support for the health sector, noting visible progress under the current administration.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
