Kogi State has recorded a remarkable leap in its healthcare readiness, climbing from the 18th position in 2023 and 2024 to the 10th position in the 2025 SBM Health Preparedness Index (HPI).

The SBM Health Preparedness Index assesses the capacity of Nigeria’s 36 states to effectively respond to health emergencies and deliver quality healthcare services. The annual report draws data from credible national and international institutions including the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), World Health Organisation (WHO), The Lancet, Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), BudgIT, The Cable, the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Radboud University, and the Global Data Lab.

The index evaluates key indicators such as budgetary commitments, human resource capacity, and health outcomes, using the most recent available data.

Although no state in the country met the 30 percent national target for health preparedness, Kogi’s advancement represents a significant step forward in its healthcare reform journey. The improvement reflects the Ododo administration’s sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel development, and community-based health delivery.

Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdilazeez Adeiza Adams, described the improvement as “a testament to the strategic leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the dedication of the health workforce in Kogi State.”

He assured that the State Government remains “fully committed to strengthening the health system to achieve universal health coverage, enhance emergency response capacity, and surpass national benchmarks in the coming years”.

“This is an encouraging development, but we are not relenting. We are scaling up investments in primary healthcare, training more professionals, and expanding access to quality medical services across all local government areas. Our ultimate goal is to make Kogi a model of resilience and efficiency in Nigeria’s health sector,” Dr. Adams said.

Also commenting on the report, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said Kogi State continues to shine in healthcare delivery under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“This is a positive response to the challenge posed to the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdilazeez Adeiza Adams, to move Kogi up from the 18th position she occupied in 2023 and 2024. The Ministry has done the needful, and now the Governor has further challenged the Health Team to push Kogi even higher,” he stated.

Hon. Fanwo added that the development reflects the tangible outcomes of the administration’s people-centered policies.

“Our investment in health is paying off. This is the real measure of development, when governance directly improves lives and strengthens our health sector capacity”, he asserted.

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has confirmed that some of its outstanding salary arrears and allowances have been paid.

Despite this progress, the doctors have vowed to continue their ongoing indefinite strike in solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) until all their specific demands are fully met.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, said that 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears ranging from one month to one year were paid two nights ago. He added that while some members received their Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), 47 of the 150 doctors entitled to the allowance are yet to be paid.

Dr. Ebong commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for initiating the implementation of some of the doctors’ demands. However, he emphasized that partial fulfillment was insufficient grounds to suspend the strike.

“Two nights ago, 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears for periods ranging from one month to one year were paid. Also, the MRTF of some doctors was paid, though 47 out of 150 are still outstanding,” Ebong said.

He further confirmed that salaries were paid on Tuesday, acknowledging what he described as “the beginning of the implementation” of their demands.

While expressing appreciation for ongoing engagements with the National Assembly and FCTA management, Dr. Ebong insisted that the strike would continue until the remaining issues are resolved.

He also called on government authorities to adopt a proactive approach to addressing workers’ concerns rather than waiting for strikes to force action.

“Our sincere appreciation once more to the Honourable Minister for his leadership and commitment. However, the indefinite strike will continue until the rest of our demands are met,” he stated.

The association outlined several pending demands that must be addressed before the strike can be suspended at both the national (NARD) and FCTA levels. These include:

• Immediate payment of MRTF to the remaining 47 doctors.
• Payment of salaries owed to external resident doctors for 6–7 months.
• Settlement of longstanding skipping arrears.
• Payment of overdue promotion arrears.
• Payment of post-Part II conversion arrears.
• Implementation of the CONMESS 25%/35% adjustment already effected in federal institutions.
• Payment of the approved wage award.
• Settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears dating back to 2021.
• Immediate employment of additional healthcare workers.
• Improvement of working conditions across FCTA health facilities.

Dr. Ebong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to dialogue and to achieving lasting solutions that would strengthen the healthcare system in the FCT.

The Lagos State Government has sealed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) following allegations that the institution was discharging raw, untreated sewage into the environment in violation of state environmental laws.

The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), operating under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after the college reportedly ignored multiple warning letters and failed to address long-standing environmental compliance issues.

Announcing the development, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the college’s actions constituted a serious breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. The law explicitly prohibits the discharge of untreated wastewater or sewage into public drains, canals, or any part of the natural environment.

“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the non-functional sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology due to its illegal discharge of raw sewage into the environment,” Wahab said in a statement.

He described the situation as a major public health risk, noting that untreated human waste contributes to the contamination of water sources, the spread of waterborne diseases, and general environmental degradation. Wahab emphasized that institutions, whether public or private, are not exempt from compliance with environmental laws and standards.

“Illegal discharge of wastewater not only endangers the health of residents but also undermines our efforts to maintain a sustainable, safe, and flood-resilient Lagos. The state government has zero tolerance for environmental infractions and will continue to enforce compliance,” the commissioner said.

#ZeroToleranceLagos Campaign

The sealing of YABATECH’s facility forms part of the state’s ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign—an initiative aimed at holding individuals, businesses, and institutions accountable for environmental violations. According to the Ministry, the campaign is designed to protect public health, improve environmental quality, and reduce pollution across Lagos.

Officials from the Wastewater Management Office said they had repeatedly engaged YABATECH’s management before resorting to enforcement. Technical guidance and timelines for achieving compliance were provided, but the institution allegedly failed to take corrective action.

Broader Enforcement Actions Across Lagos

In a related development, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has continued its crackdown on environmental violators across the state. On Thursday, the agency sealed 11 establishments in the Ikorodu area for various infractions, including persistent noise pollution, improper waste disposal, and failure to obtain necessary environmental permits.

The affected businesses include bars, hotels, lounges, and industrial facilities. Among those sealed are Zero Square Bar & Lounge, Limpex Resources, Starex Poly, Skipper Nigeria Ltd, NDO Hotel & Suites, Beechwood Guest House, Embassy Lounge, and A-Star Pencil.

The enforcement operation targeted several key areas in Ikorodu, such as Agodo Gas Line, Odogunyan Industrial Layout, Ita Oluwo Junction, Haruna, Ipakodo Road, and Ebute.

LASEPA stated that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility and ensure that all sectors adhere to the state’s environmental protection framework.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to creating a healthier and more livable environment for its residents. Officials say that environmental compliance is central to the state’s climate resilience agenda and a critical step toward achieving its goals for a cleaner, greener Lagos.

Commissioner Wahab urged all public institutions, private companies, and individuals to align with the state’s environmental policies, warning that non-compliance would attract strict penalties, including fines, facility closures, and potential legal action.

“Lagos is committed to enforcing all existing environmental laws. Institutions must lead by example, and no one is above the law when it comes to protecting our environment,” Wahab added.

The situation at YABATECH serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental negligence and the growing resolve of the Lagos State Government to ensure strict enforcement of environmental standards across the state.