FG, Oyo State Health Ministry Host Intensive Capacity Development Training for Program Officers

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening health systems and improving planning efficiency, the Oyo State Ministry of Health in collaboration Nigeria Health Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) organized a four-day capacity-building programme for health sector leaders and managers across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.

The training, which held at the Ibadan Business School in Ibadan, Oyo State capital between Monday 14th July to 17th July 2025 was themed “NHSRII Leadership Health Systems Strengthening and Planning: Capacity Development for Health Program Officers and Health Secretaries (Medical Officers of Health) across all the 33 Local Government Health Authorities (LGHAs).” It seeks to enhance the technical and leadership capabilities of key players in the health sector, particularly about the development of a unified and realistic operational plan and realistic health budget for Oyo State.

Speaking during the opening session, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, stressed the need for collaboration and synergy among all departments, programme officers, and stakeholders involved in the delivery of healthcare services.

“It is time for us as a state to operate as one cohesive team. All program officers, directors, and partners must unite to set realistic and measurable goals for the improvement of healthcare in Oyo State,” Dr. Ajetunmobi stated.

“Currently, different sectors function in silos, but this training aims to harmonize efforts under a single plan, a single budget, and a unified reporting system. This is critical for our journey toward Universal Health Coverage and for achieving better health outcomes, especially in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates,” she added.

The commissioner further noted that the four-day workshop will form the foundation for the development of the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the State Ministry of Health. She emphasized that representatives from all health-related institutions in the state, including Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Health Science and Technology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Primary Health Care Board, Hospital Management Board, and the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, are participating in the training.

Dr. Oluwatunmise, the State Coordinator for the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), explained that the program is part of a national reform agenda aimed at realigning Nigeria’s health system with global best practices.

“This training was born out of the challenges we encountered while developing last year’s AOP. The current administration, upon reviewing the progress since Nigeria’s first health sector reforms in 1962, concluded that fundamental change is overdue,” Dr. Oluwatunmise explained.

“With the SWAp model, the government assumes full leadership and coordination of the health sector. We’re moving away from fragmented efforts to a unified ‘One Plan’ approach that ensures all MDAs work collaboratively and efficiently.”

This year, the AOP process is being upgraded from an Excel-based format to a modern, web-based platform, enabling easier access, better collaboration, and enhanced accountability.

One of the participants, Feranmi Oladiti, National Health Fellow, expressed optimism about the impact of the training.

“We’re here to understand how to align our state-level plans with the National Health Sector Strategic Plan. This training is essential in helping us structure our operational plans to be both impactful and aligned with national goals,” Oladiti said.

The Oyo State health sector comprises seven key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), all of which are actively participating in the training. These include:
• Oyo State Ministry of Health
• Oyo State Health Insurance Agency
• State Primary Health Care Board
• Hospital Management Board
• LAUTECH Teaching Hospital
• Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences
• Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology

The training is expected to produce a comprehensive, well-coordinated roadmap for health sector planning, ultimately contributing to improved service delivery and better health outcomes for residents of Oyo State. It also forms part of a broader national strategy to standardize and enhance health sector planning across Nigeria.

The training ended in grandstyle on thursday with all participants having practical hands on sessions on the new web based AOP Framework.