Yobe state wins top healthcare award and $1.2m prize in national challenge
Yobe State has been named the best performer in Nigeria’s 2025 Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge, earning a total of $1.2 million in prizes. The awards were presented at a ceremony in Abuja on June 5, 2025, recognizing states for their commitment to improving primary healthcare. The event, supported by organizations like UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to boost accountability and healthy competition among states. The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts, led by Bola Tinubu, to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
What we know
- Yobe State received the overall best performer award and the North-East Zonal Best Performing State prize, totaling $1.2 million at the event on June 5, 2025.
- The Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge is organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, and UNICEF, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Other zonal winners include Nasarawa, Zamfara, Abia, Rivers, and Osun, while runners-up like Gombe and Kwara also received recognition and cash prizes.
- Nigeria’s 36 states have collectively raised their 2025 health budgets to ₦2.36 trillion, with 30% allocated to primary healthcare.
- Vice-President Shettima and Bola Tinubu emphasized the need for continued investment in health to improve access, affordability, and outcomes for all Nigerians.
