The Lagos State Ministry of Health has launched a four-day leadership and management workshop for health officials under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
The workshop, which began on Monday, July 15, 2025, at Trident Suites in Ikeja, is being held in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office.
Themed “Towards Rational, Realistic, Pragmatic and Comprehensive Plan that Informs Health Budget for the People of Lagos State,” the workshop targets health leaders, state directors, medical officers, LGA health managers, and project desk officers. The goal is to equip them with planning tools and strategic thinking skills to help drive people-centered health reforms across Lagos.
During the opening session, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, explained that the training represents a major turning point for the health sector. “This four-day session is about leadership mindset, systems understanding, and service transformation,” she said.
Dr. Ogunyemi urged participants to take the workshop seriously and actively contribute. “This is more than a training,” she noted. “It is a pivotal moment of truth for health managers to take full ownership of ongoing reforms and prepare to effectively cascade them to frontline workers across Lagos.”
She emphasized that Lagos State is already working in line with the SWAp strategy, which focuses on harmonisation, mutual accountability, and coordination between government agencies and development partners.
“The HOPE Project and NHSRII are not abstract programmes,” she said. “They are vehicles to translate vision into action. But they only succeed when leaders and managers connect strategy to service delivery and performance policy.”
Dr. Ogunyemi challenged participants to speak openly about gaps and weaknesses in current approaches. “It’s not enough to sit through this workshop. You must interrogate the policies, contextualise them for Lagos, and make them work for our people. Shake the table. If something won’t work in Lagos, say so. That’s the only way to adapt without losing the essence of what the Federal Government aims to achieve.”
She also brought attention to ongoing issues in maternal and infant health, asking health leaders to reflect on why current strategies may not be producing the desired results.
“We’ve offered free antenatal care, yet our women still go to traditional birth attendants. This is where planning meets reality,” she said. “What can we do differently, and what support do we need?”
She concluded by stressing teamwork and accountability. “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit. What matters is that we do what’s right for Lagos. If it works, we all shine. If it fails, we are all accountable. Let’s embrace this opportunity and lead change from where we stand,” she said.
Also present at the workshop was Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye. Dr. Oyenuga described the event as a strategic moment for advancing planning, coordination, and delivery across the state.
“This workshop will introduce you to powerful tools like the web-based Annual Operational Planning (AOP) tool, and teach you about system thinking, bottleneck analysis, and service integration—all critical to moving from plans to real impact,” she explained.
Dr. Oyenuga added that the training includes practical sessions on performance-based planning models, service delivery frameworks, and monitoring tools that will help participants develop stronger implementation strategies. “We expect all participants to be fully engaged, as your insights are central to the success of this process,” she said.
From the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Nonso Egbosi, Assistant Director and Head of Strategic Planning, expressed appreciation for the effort Lagos is making to integrate the NHSRII into its health governance. He said, “Lagos is a shining example of state-federal collaboration for sustainable health development.”
Dr. Egbosi urged participants to go beyond theory. “Planning without execution is wasted effort. Let this training serve as the bridge between knowledge and implementation,” he stated.
One of the highlights of the workshop is the use of digital tools for operational planning. Dr. Oyeyemi Ogunjobi, SWAp Desk Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, said that the training is designed to combine structured learning, peer exchange, and group tasks.
These activities will support participants in building practical strategies that directly impact health budgeting and programming in Lagos.
“We are moving away from the traditional spreadsheet-based AOPs to a web-enabled tool. This upgrade will allow for real-time monitoring, reduce duplication of efforts, and enhance decision-making across our 57 LGAs and LCDAs,” she said.
Dr. Ogunjobi also pointed out that the new digital planning system will help in tracking service delivery outcomes and improve overall performance in the health sector. The approach reflects Lagos State’s commitment to strengthening health financing systems and aligning with global best practices in digital transformation for public services.
Mr. Olukunle Daramola, a consultant with the Gates Foundation and one of the development partners present, expressed the Foundation’s continued support for national and state health reforms. He noted that Lagos remains a model for other states to follow in terms of health policy implementation.
“Lagos remains a flagship state, and we commend the government for its commitment to reform. SWAp has come to stay, and we’re glad to be partners in ensuring the realisation of its goals,” Daramola said.
He added that the Gates Foundation is particularly focused on capacity development and staying engaged with states to promote lasting health outcomes.
“We’ve implemented several projects across the country, and with workshops like this, I believe we will be better than we were last year. We look forward to seeing tangible improvements in planning, delivery, and impact,” he said.
The workshop is part of ongoing efforts under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to build a more resilient, accountable, and evidence-based health system. It is expected to foster collaboration between the federal and state levels, promote high-impact service delivery, and enhance the capacity of health leaders to develop policies that reflect the needs of their communities.
By investing in digital tools and leadership development, Lagos aims to improve its healthcare financing strategy, strengthen human resource capacity, and support the adoption of performance-based health planning.
These are vital to achieving improved service outcomes, reducing maternal and infant mortality, and advancing universal health coverage.
Through workshops like this, the state is building a foundation for better health services that are accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its growing population. The use of real-time digital planning tools and emphasis on performance monitoring aligns with broader national efforts to modernize public health governance and strengthen primary healthcare systems.
As health managers return to their respective offices, the expectation is that they will apply the knowledge gained, promote health policy reforms, and support the state’s drive towards integrated service delivery, accountability, and sustainability.
The Lagos NHSRII leadership workshop stands as a key milestone in the ongoing journey to deliver quality healthcare for all residents, especially the most vulnerable.