By Rotimi Odofin
In a significant move to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare for the residents of Kogi State, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and various development partners, has commenced the development, harmonization, and finalization of the 2026 Annual Operation Plan (AOP) for the state health sector.
In a press release by the Ministry’s Information Officer, Mr. Rotimi Odofin, said the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza, inaugurated the AOP development session, in Abuja, recently.
During the inauguration, Dr. Adeiza, emphasised that the AOP is intended to serve as a living document that will guide operational activities within the state health sector. The 2026 AOP will act as a strategic framework to direct various initiatives and will be utilized to assess the sector’s progress.
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Dr. Adeiza expressed his gratitude to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for the substantial resources allocated to support the health sector across Nigeria. He also acknowledged the commitment of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who has prioritized healthcare as a key focus of his administration.
Additionally, he commended the foundational work laid by the previous Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in advancing the state’s health sector.
Reassuring participants of improved funding for healthcare, the Commissioner urged them to dedicate their efforts towards the advancement of the health sector.
During the technical session, Dr. Asiru Adamu, from the National SWAP Office highlighted that AOP is a critical driver of both state and national health policy programs and initiatives.
He encouraged participants to adopt intentional strategies in the implementation of health activities within their respective departments, institutions, and agencies.
He expressed his sincere expectation for a departure from traditional practices, advocating for a creative and improvement-oriented mindset to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Johnson Aieyedogbon, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics at the State Ministry of Health, expressed his enthusiasm for Kogi State being the first in the nation to initiate the development of the 2016 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
He emphasised that this achievement underscores the state government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare service operations and delivery for the overall well-being of its citizens.
Mr. Aieyedogbon noted that the AOP development process is a week-long process, relocated from Lokoja to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to ensure participants’ focused engagement, thereby maximizing contributions and achieving successful outcomes.
Dr. Emmanuel Jonah, the desk officer overseeing the SWAP approach, highlighted that the AOP is being developed using this budgeting methodology.
He pointed out that the AOP development process is strategically aligned with the state’s annual budget preparation for the upcoming year, ensuring that a progressive operational document is established prior to the finalization of the budget.
Partners present during the AOP development, commended the state government for its robust support of the health system, noting the significant impact and effectiveness of the health sector under the current administration.
