By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State has recorded another landmark achievement as it emerged the Southwest champion for the second consecutive year at the Annual Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Award in Abuja.
It was awarded $500,000 while Ogun State emerged as the runner-up in the zone.
Notably, only Osun and Yobe States successfully defended their titles this year, as other zonal champions from the previous edition were displaced by competing states.
The award was received on behalf of the Osun State Government by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, who represented Governor Ademola Adeleke, amid applause and admiration from the audience.
He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Health, Hon Jola Akintola, with other key stakeholders.
The PHC Leadership Challenge is a collaborative initiative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), implemented in partnership with UNICEF and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
The initiative is designed as an incentive to recognize outstanding leadership in the delivery of Primary Health Care services across Nigeria, while promoting equitable access to essential healthcare.
It also aims to fast-track the implementation of the Seattle Declaration, adopted by all State Governors at the National Economic Council meeting in November 2019, to elevate PHC on the political agenda, strengthen accountability, and improve health outcomes nationwide.
At the 2024 edition, Osun State emerged as the South-West winner, while Lagos State finished second, earning $500,000 and $400,000 respectively.
Other zonal winners and runners-up included Anambra and Abia States (South-East), Rivers and Delta States (South-South), Yobe and Gombe States (North-East), Kaduna and Jigawa States (North-West), and Kwara State and the Federal Capital Territory (North-Central).
Among the six zonal champions, Osun State placed third nationally, while Anambra State emerged as the overall best-performing state.
Thirteen awards are presented annually, comprising Best Performing State, Most Improved State, and Runner-up in each zone, in addition to a National Recognition Award for the overall best-performing state.
The maiden edition, held on 17 May 2023, produced Borno State as the overall winner. In the South-West, Ondo State emerged winner, with Ogun State as runner-up, while Osun State placed fourth in the zone and 26th nationally.
Reacting to the award, the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Jola Akintola, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Adeleke for his strategic investments in the health sector and for providing the enabling environment that facilitated Osun State’s consecutive victories.
He also commended the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the PHC Task Force, Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye; and Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, for their unwavering support.
“I humbly congratulate my principal, the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, for this prestigious award. His investments in the health sector have yielded measurable results, as clearly reflected during the 2025 Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR) held between 12 and 14 November 2025, where Osun State performed impressively in the overall performance rating.”
He further appreciated members of the State Executive Council, political office holders, technocrats, and agencies within the health sector, including the Special Advisers on Health, heads of health-related MDAs, chairmen of boards and agencies, and the State’s dedicated healthcare workforce for their commitment and professionalism.
Special recognition was given to the PHC Leadership Challenge focal person, Dr. Oluyemi Ogundun, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Osun PHCDB, Dr. Lawal Adeleke, and their inter-ministerial team for their diligence in the timely submission of all required documentation.
“This achievement affirms that hard work, diligence, and perseverance yield results. We have only just begun; more accolades will follow by God’s grace,” Akintola stated.
Other zonal winners at the 2025 edition include:North Central: Nasarawa (1st), Kwara (2nd); North East: Yobe (1st), Gombe (2nd); North West: Zamfara (1st), Kaduna (2nd); South South: Rivers (1st), Bayelsa (2nd); South East: Abia (1st), Anambra (2nd); and Overall Winner: Yobe State
The successful defence of the title underscores Osun State’s commitment to continuous improvement in health sector performance.
Through deliberate planning, sustained investment, and collaborative governance, the State has reaffirmed its position as a leader in Primary Health Care delivery.
Indeed, as the saying goes, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
