The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, and supported by the Gates Foundation, has launched the third edition of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Awards.
Scheduled for today, Friday, December 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., the event recognises exceptional gubernatorial leadership in bolstering primary health care systems across states.
In a statement, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications, noted that the initiative stems from the 2019 Seattle Declaration, endorsed by all 36 governors, to drive better governance, funding, and accountability in PHC.
NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the platform as “a beacon of what strong, accountable leadership can achieve in our health system. It celebrates results, rewards performance, and ultimately delivers better care for our people.”
The challenge accelerates Seattle Declaration commitments, enhances political ownership of PHC outcomes, boosts transparency, encourages peer learning, and monitors progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative Compact.
Governors are evaluated via a Performance Monitoring Framework, developed by stakeholders and endorsed by state health commissioners, covering governance, leadership, financing, quality of care, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainability—aligned with MAMMS principles and presidential NHSRII indicators.
A total of 13 awards will be distributed: two per geopolitical zone (Best Performing and Most Improved States), one national Overall Best Performing State, with a $6.1 million prize fund. Winners must reinvest funds into PHC strengthening.
An independent panel of public health experts, academics, religious and traditional leaders, media, and civil society reviews assessments by UN-recruited verification agents.
Previous editions: The inaugural event in May 2023 crowned Borno State national champion, with zonal winners including Kwara, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Ondo.
The 2024 edition named Anambra State national champion, with zonal winners Anambra, Rivers, Osun, Yobe, Kaduna, and Kwara; runners-up from Abia, Delta, Lagos, Gombe, Jigawa, and the FCT; and a special innovation award for Gombe.
“This is not just an award ceremony. It is a celebration of impact, accountability, and a commitment to the health and wellbeing of every Nigerian,” AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq affirmed.
