Niger Health Sector Retreat Exposes Deep Gaps, Sets Reform Path for Funding, Workforce, Coordination

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna 

Long-standing structural weaknesses in Niger State’s health sector, ranging from poor coordination and weak execution to workforce shortages and low domestic funding took centre stage as government leaders, legislators, and development partners met at a two-day Health Sector External Retreat supported by UNICEF.

Opening the retreat on behalf of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, on Friday, the Head of Service, Abubakar Sadiq, acknowledged that despite multiple interventions, the sector continues to struggle with fragmented planning, overstretched personnel, and unsustainable reliance on partner funding. 

He stressed that without predictable state financing and institutional discipline, health investments cannot deliver lasting impact.

To reverse this trend, Sadiq announced decisive reforms, including closer alignment of the Ministry of Primary Health Care with planning, budgeting, and fiscal institutions to eliminate duplication and waste. 

He also disclosed ongoing reviews of health-related laws to modernize regulation and strengthen accountability, alongside plans to increase health sector funding in coming fiscal years.

Human resources for health emerged as a critical fault line. Sadiq admitted that workforce gaps, declining morale, and premature exit of experienced professionals are weakening service delivery. 

As solutions, the state is considering structured engagement of retired health workers on contract, improved welfare and retirement benefits, and stronger regulation of private health facilities through the newly established Niger State Registration and Regulatory Agency for Private Health Care Facilities.

The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Bagana, described the sector’s biggest challenge as an “execution crisis.” 

According to him, Niger State has no shortage of policies or strategies, but lacks effective coordination between state ministries, local governments, federal agencies, and development partners. 

He said this disconnect has resulted in scattered projects, duplicated efforts, and weak accountability for results.

Dr. Bagana explained that the retreat was convened to confront these failures head-on by aligning all partners around the New Niger Health Agenda and a single Annual Operational Plan. 

He emphasized the use of evidence, particularly data from the ongoing National Health Survey funded by USAID with strong UNICEF support, to guide priorities, correct inefficiencies, and ensure resources are directed to the most urgent needs.

From the legislative perspective, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Nasiru Umar, raised alarm over persistent exclusion of women from health decision-making and implementation processes. 

He warned that such gaps undermine equity and reduce community trust in the system. He also criticized the practice of NGOs implementing projects without strong local presence, noting that many interventions fail because they are disconnected from community realities.

Umar called for stricter state oversight of partner and NGO activities, deliberate inclusion of indigenous actors, and urgent review of the retirement age for health professionals to retain critical expertise. 

He further urged tighter regulation of private health and training institutions, including schools of nursing and health technology, to protect standards and strengthen the workforce pipeline.

Speaking for development partners, UNICEF’s Officer-in-Charge for Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Idris Baba, acknowledged the sector’s challenges and cautioned that donor support cannot substitute for government leadership. 

He stressed that while partners are ready to provide technical assistance and financing, sustainable progress depends on state ownership, clear priorities, and disciplined implementation.

Dr. Baba reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Niger State’s reform agenda, emphasizing that partners would follow the government’s lead and support systems strengthening rather than isolated projects.

As the retreat progresses, stakeholders are working toward a harmonized, costed implementation plan, a shared monitoring and accountability framework, and clearer coordination mechanisms across MDAs, LGAs, and partners, measures participants say are essential to fixing long-standing weaknesses and building a resilient, people-centred health system for Niger State.