EU, Kwara Take Stock of Health Progress, Deepen Development Cooperation

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The European Union and the Kwara State Government are taking stock of progress under the EU-supported health interventions, as a visiting EU team assesses results on the ground and explores opportunities for deeper cooperation.

The four-year programme operates in Adamawa, Kwara and Sokoto states, supporting reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and contributing to Nigeria’s progress towards universal health coverage.

In Kwara, the programme is supporting stronger health services, workforce capacity, family planning, data use and community engagement, with particular attention to women, children and adolescents.

The team, led by the Head of Partnerships at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca yesterday met with top officials of the Kwara State Government as part of a two-day mission.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi. Representatives of the German Embassy, UNICEF and UNFPA also joined the engagement.

A key focus of the visit is the EU-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme, implemented by UNICEF and UNFPA in collaboration with Nigerian government institutions.

De Luca said the mission offered an opportunity to assess how cooperation was translating into results for communities.

According to him, It is very important that we take stock, and we see how we are moving together.

“With the growing budget from our side, we would also like to understand how much Kwara is investing and delivering to the health sector.

“Our role is to walk alongside Kwara State, bring expertise and support its journey towards stronger and more sustainable health outcomes,” De Luca said.

On his part, Alabi said Kwara valued its cooperation with the EU and other development partners.

“For this administration, better health outcomes depend on services that people can reach, trust, see and use.

“Kwara State Government is committed to working with you on practical steps to strengthen coordination, use evidence to guide decisions, and increase the state’s contribution,” he said.

Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Karin Jansen, said the mission reflected a shared commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development priorities and would provide an opportunity to engage directly with health workers and communities.

“We look forward to hearing about your priorities for the state and exploring how our cooperation can best complement these efforts,” Jansen said.