Adeleke promises more dividends as Osun wins 2025 PHC leadership challenge

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Osun State has claimed victory in the 2025 Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge, with Governor Ademola Adeleke pledging to enhance the delivery of good governance and democratic benefits for the residents.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement on Saturday, explained that this win follows Osun’s success in the 2024 PHC Challenge, marking a consecutive achievement for the state under Adeleke’s leadership.

The PHC Leadership Challenge, an initiative by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in collaboration with UNICEF and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), along with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, aims to incentivise and recognise exemplary leadership in the provision of primary healthcare services across Nigeria.

The challenge encourages states to strengthen their PHC systems, ensuring equitable access to essential health services for all Nigerians. It aims to fast-track the implementation of the Seattle Declaration, a commitment made by state governors at the National Economic Council meeting in November 2019 to prioritise primary healthcare, promote accountability, and drive measurable improvements in health outcomes.

Each year, thirteen awards are up for grabs, including the Best Performing State, Most Improved State, and runners-up in each region, along with a national recognition for the overall Best Performing State.

In the inaugural Gala/Awards night on 17 May 2023, Borno State was crowned the overall winner, with Ondo and Ogun States taking the top two positions in the South-West zone, while Osun ranked fourth regionally and 26th nationally.

He said that, under Governor Adeleke, Osun improved significantly, moving from fourth place during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to first place in 2024, earning a cash prize of $500,000. The governor reinvested this award into the enhancement of primary healthcare facilities across the state.

For the 2025 edition, Osun emerged as the top winner in the South-West, while Ogun State secured second place, with both states receiving $500,000 and $400,000, respectively. Notably, Osun is the only state to have won both in 2024 and retained the title in 2025.

Prince Kola Adewusi, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, who represented Governor Adeleke, commended the organisers for their diligence and acknowledgment of the genuine efforts made by state governments to improve access to primary healthcare. “The Osun State government is committed to continuous delivery of good governance and democratic dividends. I commend our team for this impressive outing and direct the health sector leadership to ensure that Osun emerges as the overall best winner for the entire country in the next edition,” he stated.

Commissioner for Health, Hon. Jola Akintola, praised Governor Adeleke for his substantial investment in the health sector, describing the award as “a validation of the Governor’s exceptional performance in office.”