Kogi State has made one of the most notable improvements in the nation’s health preparedness ranking, climbing eight places from 18th in the previous two years to 10th in the 2025 SBM Health Preparedness Index.
The index, which assesses states’ ability to respond to medical emergencies and sustain quality healthcare delivery, highlights Kogi as a rising model in healthcare reform.
Compiled annually using data from respected institutions such as the World Health Organisation, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Global Data Lab, the report evaluates states based on indicators including budgetary commitment, human resources, and health outcomes.
Though no state yet meets the 30 percent national target for health preparedness, Kogi’s performance shows consistent policy direction and strategic prioritization of healthcare under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration.
The Kogi State Ministry of Health attributed the progress to sustained government investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and community-based health systems.
According to a statement released on Monday in Lokoja, these efforts represent “a steady march toward universal health coverage and improved emergency response mechanisms.”
Dr. Abdilazeez Adams, the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, described the improved ranking as a validation of the administration’s leadership and the dedication of the state’s health workers. “This achievement is not an end but a motivation. We are expanding training for professionals, upgrading primary healthcare facilities, and ensuring no local government is left behind in service delivery,” he said.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, commended the health team for translating policy into measurable progress. He noted that the new ranking is proof that the Ododo government’s people-focused investments are transforming lives across the state.
“Our approach to governance is yielding visible results. When health systems work, communities thrive—and that’s the true mark of development,” he stated.
The Ododo administration, according to officials, intends to use the 2025 milestone as a springboard for even greater improvement in the years ahead.
