The European Union (EU) has reported significant progress in its health initiatives in Kwara State, reaching 35,796 individuals through its programs, while the state has increased its health budget allocation to 15% of the 2026 budget. The advancements were highlighted during a review of the EU-SARAH partnership, emphasizing sustainability, state ownership, and improved healthcare access. The EU’s interventions included 12,264 referrals and facilitated free healthcare for approximately 10,000 people, according to a review meeting held in Kwara. The discussions focused on strengthening state-led coordination and financing to ensure long-term impact. Massimo De Luca, Head of Partnerships at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underscored the importance of aligning the EU’s broader cooperation with Kwara’s priorities during the review. He noted that EU engagement extends beyond health to sectors such as energy, agriculture, and peacebuilding. De Luca commended Kwara’s shift toward self-reliance, stating that the state’s approach to partnerships prioritizes mutual contribution over dependency. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, confirmed that the health budget allocation rose from 4% to 15% in 2026, with annual budget releases improving over the past seven years despite occasional delays. Oluwatosin Fakayode, Director of Public Health at the Kwara State Ministry of Health, emphasized the state’s use of health data to target high-risk areas like Ilorin and Moro local government areas, which contribute to maternal mortality. Kwara is also developing a roadmap to transition from paper-based to digital health systems. Fauziyyah Alaaya, a representative of adolescents and Speaker of the State’s Children’s Parliament, welcomed the inclusion of youth in health interventions, highlighting the program’s focus on community-driven solutions. The EU-SARAH partnership’s success underscores the importance of collaborative governance in addressing public health challenges. By integrating local priorities with international support, Kwara aims to build resilient health systems while reducing reliance on external funding. The state’s commitment to transparency and data-driven decision-making positions it as a model for sustainable development in Nigeria’s health sector.
EU Health Initiative in Kwara Reaches 35,796 as State Boosts Health Budget to 15% by 2026
The European Union (EU) has reported significant progress in its health initiatives in Kwara State, reaching 35,796 individuals through its programs, while the state has increased its health budget allocation to 15% of the 2026 budget. The advancements were highlighted during a review of the EU-SARAH partnership, emphasizing sustainability, state ownership, and improved healthcare access. The EU’s interventions included 12,264 referrals and facilitated free healthcare for approximately 10,000 people, according to a review meeting held in Kwara. The discussions focused on strengthening state-led coordination and financing to ensure long-term impact.
Massimo De Luca, Head of Partnerships at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underscored the importance of aligning the EU’s broader cooperation with Kwara’s priorities during the review. He noted that EU engagement extends beyond health to sectors such as energy, agriculture, and peacebuilding. De Luca commended Kwara’s shift toward self-reliance, stating that the state’s approach to partnerships prioritizes mutual contribution over dependency. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, confirmed that the health budget allocation rose from 4% to 15% in 2026, with annual budget releases improving over the past seven years despite occasional delays.
Oluwatosin Fakayode, Director of Public Health at the Kwara State Ministry of Health, emphasized the state’s use of health data to target high-risk areas like Ilorin and Moro local government areas, which contribute to maternal mortality. Kwara is also developing a roadmap to transition from paper-based to digital health systems. Fauziyyah Alaaya, a representative of adolescents and Speaker of the State’s Children’s Parliament, welcomed the inclusion of youth in health interventions, highlighting the program’s focus on community-driven solutions.
The EU-SARAH partnership’s success underscores the importance of collaborative governance in addressing public health challenges. By integrating local priorities with international support, Kwara aims to build resilient health systems while reducing reliance on external funding. The state’s commitment to transparency and data-driven decision-making positions it as a model for sustainable development in Nigeria’s health sector.