Yobe cascades national health reform agenda, builds capacity ahead of 2026 plan

Yobe cascades national health reform agenda, builds capacity ahead of 2026 plan

The Federal Ministry of Health says it has trained no fewer than  150 programme managers to strengthen the health sector at the national level.

Dr Babagana Abba, the Sector-Wide Approach (SWA) Desk Officer in the ministry, disclosed this on Monday at the opening of a four-day workshop in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The theme of the workshop was “Leadership, Health System Strengthening, and Health Planning Capacity Development.”

He explained that the training was designed to enhance programme-level execution of national health priorities under the framework of the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative(NHSRI).

Abba, who noted that over 150 programme managers had already been trained at the national level, added that the ongoing exercise in Yobe was part of a nationwide cascade expected to take place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“It targets programme officers and managers—those directly responsible for implementing health programmes at the state, local government, and community levels,” he said.

According to Abba, while similar workshops had previously been conducted for senior policymakers, the current effort focuses on cascading technical knowledge and planning skills to frontline health managers who oversee day-to-day execution.

He emphasised that the workshop was crucial for improving coherence, promoting data-driven decision-making, and ensuring better alignment of interventions with both national and sub-national health priorities.

“States such as Enugu and the FCT have already begun cascading these sessions. We expect full participation over the next four days, with over 70 programme managers and development partners attending,” Abba added.

He charged participants to engage actively and ensure knowledge gained was transmitted to their respective units, departments and agencies.

“The essence is that, at the time of developing the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP), every health worker—whether at state or community level—is informed, included and aligned with national objectives,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, addressed participants virtually.

According to him, the 2026 AOP will serve as a critical test for the full-scale implementation of the flagship health sector reforms.

“We are at a critical moment where we must stop doing things the same way. The 2026 plan offers us an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the reforms we have committed to as a country,” Pate said.

Pate, represented his Technical Adviser, Dr Isa Bukar, acknowledged that “while reforms take time, the health sector must show progress in 2026, which precedes the general elections in 2027 when political attention may shift from development priorities.”

Pate explained that the current push for state-led and data-driven planning stemmed from lessons learnt during the 2025 AOP, which for the first time saw nationwide collaboration and alignment.

He stated that this year’s focus would be on rational, realistic, and comprehensive plans that were well integrated into budget cycles and reflected the needs of the people.

“To achieve this, we must close technical capacity gaps, strengthen data systems, and empower programme officers with skills in systems thinking, data interpretation and evidence-based planning,” the minister added.

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Dr Musa Matazu, a representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation, described the training as a first-of-its-kind intervention that strategically linked data use, planning, and measurable outcomes.

“This is the first time we are having such a targeted training focusing on health systems strengthening, problem-solving, and result-oriented planning.

“Our resources are limited; without planning that is linked to results, impact is impossible,” he said.

Matazu noted that many health managers often misunderstood the scope of health systems, limiting it to recruitment and supplies.

He clarified that the health system comprised governance, human resources, commodities, demand generation, monitoring and evaluation, and supportive supervision.

“Yobe has already demonstrated strong collaboration with partners through resource mobilisation and shared goals.

“This effort will enable states to deliver more than their budgets can achieve,” he said.