Kebbi Governor’s healthcare reforms earn national recognition, resolve workforce crisis

The Kebbi State Government has announced that Governor Nasir Idris’s recruitment of 890 health workers has significantly addressed the state’s longstanding shortage of healthcare personnel, improving access to quality services and stabilising the delivery of care.

According to the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed, over 500 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other critical staff, have been recruited to reinforce the health sector workforce. Additionally, 390 casual health workers have been formally integrated into the state’s civil service, enhancing service delivery across health facilities.

In recognition of these strides, Governor Idris has been conferred with the “Excellence in Healthcare Delivery and Human Capacity Development” award by the Postgraduate Medical College Fellows Association, in partnership with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. He becomes only the second northerner to receive this prestigious honour, which acknowledges his outstanding leadership in advancing healthcare.

Established in 1979, the National Postgraduate Medical College is responsible for training specialist doctors in fields such as surgery, cardiology, paediatrics, gynaecology, and pathology. The award will be formally presented during the 19th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows Congress (ASCAF), scheduled to take place in Sokoto from 3rd to 8th August 2025. It will be the first time the event is hosted in Sokoto, drawing participation from Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto states.

Professors Simeon Isezuo and Jacob Ndas Legbo, Chair and Secretary of the Local Organising Committee, respectively, lauded Governor Idris’s sweeping reforms, particularly the strategic recruitment drive and the regularisation of casual workers, which they noted have stabilised healthcare delivery in the state.

The administration has also prioritised improvements in healthcare infrastructure. Six general hospitals have been renovated and equipped with modern facilities, while selected primary healthcare centres have seen significant upgrades. The deployment of new ambulances has further strengthened referral systems and reduced emergency response times.

To combat maternal mortality, the state government has launched the free distribution of delivery kits to expectant mothers, encouraging facility-based births attended by skilled professionals. The Kebbi State Contributory Health Agency has also been empowered to minimise financial barriers to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.

A notable intervention is the domestication of free psychiatric medication provision, which has benefitted over 20,000 individuals in Kebbi and neighbouring states.

These comprehensive efforts have already led to measurable improvements in key health indicators, including reductions in maternal and under-five mortality rates. The successes recorded within just two years of Governor Idris’s tenure demonstrate the impact of strategic investment in human resources, infrastructure, and community engagement.

This national recognition not only highlights Kebbi’s progress but also positions the state as a model for sustainable healthcare reforms across Nigeria.

With Sokoto set to host ASCAF 2025 on behalf of Kebbi and Zamfara, the event is expected to foster greater regional collaboration, showcase Kebbi’s healthcare achievements, and support the training of indigenous medical specialists, an essential step towards addressing the persistent shortage of health professionals in Northern Nigeria.

Observers maintain that these achievements affirm the possibility of transformative change in Nigeria’s health sector through visionary leadership, consistent policy implementation, and a people-centred approach.