The Kogi State Government has commenced the development of its 2026 Annual Operation Plan (AOP) for the health sector in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners.
The initiative seeks to improve healthcare delivery, enhance accessibility, and strengthen the overall health system for residents of the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the technical session held at the Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, described the AOP as a strategic document that will guide activities, track performance, and set priorities for the health sector.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing federal funding for healthcare nationwide and praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for sustaining health sector reforms in Kogi State.
Dr. Adeiza also acknowledged former Governor Yahaya Bello for laying the foundation for the state’s health transformation.
The Commissioner assured stakeholders that the sector would receive improved funding in the coming year and urged participants to remain committed to driving innovative solutions that will accelerate quality healthcare delivery across the state.
In his remarks, Dr. Asiru Adamu of the National SWAP Office described the AOP as a critical tool for shaping health policies at both the state and national levels.
He encouraged stakeholders to adopt forward-thinking strategies while moving away from outdated practices that had hindered progress in previous years.
The Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, Mr. Johnson Aieyedogbon, revealed that Kogi is the first state in the country to begin developing its 2026 AOP.
He explained that relocating the week-long planning session from Lokoja to Abuja was a deliberate effort to create a more focused environment for effective engagement and contributions from participants.
Also speaking, Dr. Emmanuel Bola Jonah, the desk officer for the SWAP budgeting approach, said the AOP is being developed to align with the preparation of the 2026 state budget.
Development partners present at the event commended the Kogi State Government for its proactive steps and commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, describing the approach as both effective and impactful.
