Kogi State is undergoing a major shift in healthcare delivery under the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. The state government says it is working to bring quality and affordable healthcare closer to every citizen, from rural villages to tertiary institutions.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are currently being remodeled across the state, marking a significant leap toward improved public health infrastructure.
Speaking with journalists in Lokoja, Fanwo said, “We are remodeling more than 200 PHCs across all local government areas of Kogi State. The impressive part is that over 95% of the funding comes directly from the state government. Only about 4% comes from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).”
He explained that the PHCs are being strategically located to reach almost every ward and community in the state. “Most of these centres are fitted with solar-powered water systems and staff quarters. Around half have reached structural completion and are awaiting the installation of medical equipment and supply of drugs,” Fanwo added.
Aside from delivering better healthcare, the commissioner said the ongoing projects are stimulating local economies by creating construction jobs and supporting local businesses across rural communities.
On health insurance, Fanwo described Kogi as a leading state in implementing an inclusive insurance scheme. “We have rolled out the Formal Sector Health Insurance Plan fully. All civil servants in the state are now covered, and local government workers have also been enrolled,” he said.
He added that the state had also captured pensioners and low-income earners under the BelloCare initiative, which was introduced during the previous administration. “Anyone earning below ₦50,000 monthly doesn’t pay for the insurance. The government covers it. We also cater for pregnant women, children under five, and the poorest of the poor,” Fanwo said.
He noted that although Kogi ranks 14th in Nigeria for total enrolment, it performs better when enrolment is measured against the population size. “We are not slowing down. We are pushing to ensure no one is left behind,” he added.
Students in tertiary institutions are not left out. According to Fanwo, “We’ve enrolled them under the Tertiary Institutions Health Insurance Plan. They pay just ₦2,000 yearly along with their school fees. It gives them access to quality healthcare throughout their stay in school.”
Fanwo said members of the informal sector—like okada riders, mechanics, tailors, and market women—are also now part of the insurance programme. “We are taking health coverage to everyone who needs it,” he said.
On secondary healthcare, Fanwo disclosed that the Federal Government is working with the state to revamp one General Hospital in each of the 21 local government areas. “Assessments have been completed, and the Bill of Quantities is ready. Work is expected to commence shortly,” he said.
For tertiary healthcare, he announced the commencement of the MBBS (Medicine and Surgery) programme at Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara. “We have also converted the Reference Hospital in Okene to serve as the teaching hospital for the university. Construction work is ongoing to meet clinical training standards,” Fanwo said.
He also provided an update on Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba. “Though we lost medical accreditation some years ago, we have restarted Basic Sciences and awarded contracts for the construction of necessary buildings to bring back full medical training,” he noted.
The Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja is also undergoing major upgrades. “We’ve separated clinical and administrative functions. A new administrative block has been built, and we are constructing House Officers’ Quarters. Talks are ongoing with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, to commence the first-ever housemanship programme in the state,” he said.
Fanwo said that under past administrations, Kogi did not have a single institution producing doctors. “Now, we have CUSTECH and the Federal University, Lokoja offering medical courses. PAAU will join soon. This is our plan to solve the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in the state.”
He praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support and vision and lauded the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Omeiza, for his outstanding leadership and execution.
Fanwo urged residents to take advantage of the facilities and protect them. “These are your facilities. Use them, protect them. They are here to serve you,” he said.
