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Anambra emerged as the best-performing state in the country, receiving $700,000 in prize money, as well as the southeast zone champion, who won $500,000.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo accepted the prizes, accompanied by a team from the state that included the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake, the Executive Secretary of ANSPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem, and others.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and UNICEF all collaborated on the event’s planning.
Other zone winners received $500,000 apiece, including Kwara (North Central), Kaduna (North West), Rivers (South-South), Osun (South-West), and Yobe (North-East).
The challenge, established in 2022 by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), and other partners, assesses states’ governance, funding, service delivery, and sustainability.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented at the ceremony by Aliyu Modibbo Umar, lauded the program for advancing Nigeria’s healthcare and urged continued efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
At the event, NGF Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emphasized the Seattle Declaration’s impact on PHC reforms, while Health Minister Ali Pate reported investments of ₦46 billion in 8,000 health facilities, resulting in a 16.7% decrease in under-five mortality and increased public confidence.
Uche Amaonwu of the Gates Foundation praised the governors for their leadership in the face of fiscal challenges, while UNICEF’s Cristian Munduate underlined healthcare as a right.
NPHCDA CEO Muyi Aina praised the challenge’s achievement in encouraging states to upgrade PHC systems.
