Governor Mohammed Bago has inaugurated 20 newly constructed Level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres across 16 local government areas in Niger State, marking the first phase of a broader initiative to improve grassroots healthcare access.
The centres were established under the NG-CARES programme through the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA). Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Minna, Governor Bago reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery throughout the state.
“This is part of our strategic plan to bring healthcare closer to the people,” he said. “We plan to build 100 centres in total, and another 40 will be constructed in the coming months. The sustainability of this initiative is guaranteed, with adequate funding already secured in the Healthcare Development Fund.”
To encourage excellence in service delivery and facility maintenance, Governor Bago announced a monthly reward of N5 million for any centre that upholds high operational and infrastructural standards.
In recognition of notable individuals, he revealed that three of the new centres would bear commemorative names:
The Maitumbi centre after the late Hajiya Zainab Yakubu Garba
The Peter Sarki Road centre after the late Peter Sarki
The Anguwan Daji facility after his wife, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago
The Executive Director/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, hailed the facilities as exemplary models of Level 2 primary healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Abubakar Musa, Deputy National Coordinator of NG-CARES, said the success of the Niger State model has prompted plans to replicate it in NG-CARES 2.0.
The state’s Commissioner for Budget and Planning and Chairman of the NG-CARES Steering Committee, Mustapha Ndajiwo, noted that the project aligns with Niger State’s broader agenda of promoting equitable access to quality healthcare. He commended Governor Bago’s leadership for pushing development directly to the community level, a move that has raised Niger’s standing in national performance rankings.
A’isha Abdulkadir, General Manager of CSDA, praised the collaborative approach that made the project a success and applauded the governor’s dedication. She also acknowledged the family of the late Senator Idris Kuta, after whom one of the centres is named, for pledging to sponsor 100 community members under the NiCARE health insurance scheme.
In their respective remarks, Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Phalalu Bako, and Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Ibrahim Dangana, lauded the governor’s unwavering focus on healthcare reform. They urged local communities and stakeholders to protect and maintain the new facilities to ensure their long-term impact.
