The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office is conducting a four-day capacity development workshop for health leaders and managers.

The workshop is part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), themed “Towards Rational, Realistic, Pragmatic and Comprehensive Plan that Informs Health Budget for the People of Lagos State.”

The high-level workshop brings together state directors, medical officers of health, LGA health managers, development partners, project desk officers, and technical experts to strengthen leadership, strategic thinking, and planning skills for evidence-based health system reforms in Lagos.

The ministry said the workshop is aimed at introducing participants to tools and frameworks such as the web-based Annual Operational Planning (AOP) tool, sector-wide approach (SWAp), systems thinking, and performance-based planning, geared towards improving evidence-based decision-making and aligning federal and state priorities

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, who declared the workshop open, described the session as more than a training.

According to her, it is a moment for health managers to take full ownership of ongoing reforms and prepare to cascade them effectively to frontline workers across Lagos. “This four-day session is about leadership mindset, systems understanding, and service transformation,” she said.

She said that Lagos is already aligned with the SWAp architecture which emphasizes harmonization, mutual accountability, and coordination between government and development partners.

“The HOPE Project and NHSRII are not abstract programs,” she noted. “They are vehicles to translate vision into action. But they only succeed when leaders and managers connect strategy to service delivery, and policy to performance.”

Dr. Ogunyemi challenged participants to engage fully and ask the difficult questions. “It’s not enough to sit through this workshop,” she said. “You must interrogate the policies, contextualize 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 highlighted persistent challenges like maternal and infant health indicators, urging state managers to reflect on what data reveals and how federal collaboration can provide tailored solutions.

“We’ve offered free antenatal care, yet our women still go to traditional birth attendants. This is where planning meets reality,” she said.

The Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, described the workshop as a strategic opportunity to deepen planning, coordination, and implementation capacity across all levels of care in Lagos.

“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,” Dr. Oyenuga said.

She added that the hands-on sessions will also explore alternate analysis techniques, performance-based planning models, and accountability frameworks tailored to state-level implementation. “We expect all participants to be fully engaged, as your insights are central to the success of this process,” she urged.

Also speaking at the opening Assistant Director and Head of Strategic Planning, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Nonso Egbosi, commended Lagos for taking ownership of the NHSRII cascade. He described the Lagos training as “a shining example of state-federal collaboration for sustainable health development.”

“This process started with our training of national planners in Abuja. What we see in Lagos today proves that commitment to reform can be scaled down meaningfully. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that what we plan translates into better care for every Nigerian,” Dr. Egbosi said.

Dr. Egbosi advised participants to absorb the content and use it to drive innovation within their respective agencies. “Planning without execution is wasted effort. Let this training serve as the bridge between knowledge and implementation,” he said.

The SWAp Desk Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Oyeyemi Ogunjobi explained that throughout the workshop, participants will engage in structured learning, peer exchange, and group planning exercises designed to generate actionable strategies that will inform health budgets and programs in the state.

She said that key among the innovations being introduced is the shift from spreadsheet-based AOPs to a web-enabled tool that will enhance real-time monitoring, reduce duplication, and improve efficiency. The tool, she added, is expected to support health leaders in tracking deliverables and outcomes across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs in Lagos.

A development partner at the event, Olukunle Daramola, Consultant with the Gates Foundation, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the national and state health systems, especially in strengthening the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) in Lagos. “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 realization of its goals,” he stated.

Speaking on her expectations, the Medical Officer of Health, Ejigbo LCDA, Dr. Osenat Ibrahim highlighted the significance of hands-on learning at the workshop. “There’s a new web-based tool for annual operational plans, and I’m eager to learn how to use it effectively. I believe this innovation will make our planning processes more seamless and impactful at the grassroots,” she said.

Also sharing his thoughts, Dr. Akintunde Abimbola, Senior Medical Officer from Badagry LGA, praised the quality of the session and the clarity of direction provided by top state officials. “The Special Adviser’s message was inspiring. I’m committed to becoming a better health manager and ensuring we cascade this knowledge to our team, so our communities can receive the quality care they truly deserve,” he said.

The workshop will also serve as a platform for harmonizing local and national targets, improving maternal and child health indices, and strengthening Lagos State’s capacity to meet federal benchmarks in service coverage, access, and health financing.

The NHSRII initiative, driven by the Federal Ministry of Health, seeks to unify and harmonize health investments, policies, and planning mechanisms across Nigeria. For Lagos, the stakes are higher, being the most populous and diverse state with unique service delivery challenges.