Friday 1st August 2025
Par inAfrika Reporter
The African Development Bank has approved a $46 million loan to finance the Sokoto State Health Infrastructure Project in Nigeria. This initiative aims to address the state’s urgent healthcare needs and drastically improve access to quality services. Sokoto’s health indicators are among the worst in the country. Only one in 20 children is fully vaccinated, and infant mortality stands at 104 per 1,000 live births. Less than 14 percent of health facilities have functional infrastructure, and there is only one doctor for every 8,285 people.
The project includes the construction of a 1,000-bed teaching hospital complex, three zonal hospitals totaling 450 beds, and six rural primary healthcare centers. It will also fund the rehabilitation of health training institutions and the establishment of a modern pharmaceutical warehouse. These improvements will be implemented with climate-smart design, integrating renewable energy systems and electronic health infrastructure.
This investment aligns with Nigeria’s National Development Plan and the Health Sector Renewal Initiative. Approximately 2,500 jobs are expected to be created, with 60 percent for youth and 30 percent for women. Additionally, 700 new training slots will be added to local nursing and medical schools to help address the region’s health worker shortage.
Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank’s Nigeria Office, said the Bank is committed to building resilient health systems in Africa. The project builds on the Bank’s track record in Nigeria, where previous investments in health infrastructure totaled over $117 million. The initiative will work with other partners, including UNICEF, WHO, and USAID, to strengthen the health system further.
This project represents a step forward in reducing inequality in health access and quality of care in northern Nigeria. It offers hope for millions and creates a foundation for long-term health system reform.
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