In a significant stride towards achieving universal health coverage, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday, December 22, 2025, symbolically inaugurated 83 newly revitalised Primary Health Care (PHC) centres across the state. The ceremony, held at the Oloje Primary Healthcare Centre in Ilorin West Local Government Area, aims to enhance access to quality healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The project, described as a cornerstone of the administration's health sector reforms, was jointly funded by the Kwara State Government, the World Bank-supported Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transformation (IMPACT) Project, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), and incentives from the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund, which Kwara has won three consecutive times. These upgrades include comprehensive renovations, installation of modern medical equipment, solar power systems, staff quarters, and provision of potable water, elevating the facilities to Level 2 PHC standards capable of delivering essential services like antenatal care, safe deliveries, child immunisations, and management of common illnesses.
Governor AbdulRazaq, during the event, emphasised that the initiative reflects his administration's unwavering commitment to equitable healthcare. "As I formally unveil these 83 newly revitalised primary health care facilities today, I do so with the conviction that we are writing a new chapter in the health history of our state," he stated. "We are not just fulfilling a campaign promise... we are laying a foundation for a healthier, more prosperous generation."
He highlighted the poor state of the PHC system inherited in 2019, noting its severe disrepair and the hardships it imposed on citizens, especially pregnant women and children in remote areas. "Each of these facilities has been renovated to new standards. Pregnant women will no longer need to travel long distances to access antenatal care and safe delivery services. Children will receive timely immunisations and treatment for common childhood illnesses. Our youth will have access to reproductive health information and services. Our elderly will receive care for chronic conditions closer to home," the governor added.
AbdulRazaq also pointed to ongoing efforts, including recent recruitment of additional health workers and improved welfare packages, as measures to sustain the gains. He commended partners, including the World Bank for the IMPACT Project and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for coordination and support, while praising the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KWSPHCDA) for effective implementation.
The Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, represented by the National Programme Manager for the IMPACT Project, Dr. Amina Abdul-one Muhammed, lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for strategically leveraging the programme to drive transformative change. She revealed that over 2,500 facilities across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory have benefited from similar upgrades under IMPACT, urging host communities to take ownership and safeguard the infrastructure against vandalism.
Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of KWSPHCDA, underscored Kwara's national acclaim, having secured the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund Award three times consecutively, yielding a total of $1.4 million in incentives. These funds have bolstered workforce expansion, maternal and child health initiatives—including free distribution of thousands of delivery kits across all 16 local government areas—and overall service delivery.
Elelu presented compelling statistics demonstrating impact: Over 722,000 outpatient visits recorded; more than 30,000 deliveries compared to just 8,020 in 2020; over 500,000 pregnant women reached with haematinics versus 120,000 in 2020; and more than 1.6 million children receiving Vitamin A supplementation against just over 100,000 in 2020. "These are not just statistics; they represent people whose futures have been secured due to the lifesaving services we provide," she remarked.
She expressed gratitude to Governor AbdulRazaq for his sustained investment in the sector and to the Kwara First Lady, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, for her dedicated advocacy on women and children's health issues.
Community representatives, including Hon. Busari Jimoh speaking for the Oloje host community, thanked the governor for the upgrade, noting it would significantly improve local access to quality care and reduce the burden of travelling to urban centres.
This inauguration builds on prior achievements, such as the renovation of dozens of PHCs earlier in the administration and the recent recruitment of over 1,000 healthcare workers. Kwara's consistent top performance in national PHC rankings positions it as a model state in Nigeria's push for strengthened primary healthcare under one functional PHC per ward.
Health experts view the project as a legacy initiative that will reduce maternal and child mortality rates, enhance disease prevention, and contribute to economic productivity by keeping communities healthier. With Nigeria grappling with challenges in grassroots healthcare delivery, Kwara's multi-funded approach—combining state resources with international and federal support—offers a replicable framework for other subnationals.
The revitalisation aligns with global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals on health and Nigeria's sectoral reform agenda, reinforcing Governor AbdulRazaq's focus on human capital development as a pillar of inclusive growth.
