BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, NOVEMBER 03, 2025 | 02:56 PM

Borno State has been named the best-performing state in Nigeria under the World Bank-supported Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project.

The recognition places Borno ahead of other states in implementing programs that reduce child mortality and improve healthcare access.

IMPACT aims to cut by half the mortality rate of children under five by 2030 through stronger primary healthcare systems.

The project integrates malaria prevention and immunization services across 235 healthcare facilities in Borno.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum received the award at the Government House in Maiduguri on Sunday.

He commended the Ministry of Health for the achievement.

‘I would like to commend the Health Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, the IMPACT project coordinator, and the rest of the team for their efforts in achieving this feat of becoming the best-performing state,’ Zulum said.

‘On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our sincere gratitude.’

The governor restated his commitment to improving the health sector.

‘Healthcare is one of the priorities of this administration,’ he said.

‘Therefore, I would like to assure you that more investment will be made in the entire value chain of the health sector to ensure quality and affordable healthcare delivery for our people.’

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malum Gana, presented the award to the governor.

He said the success was due to coordinated implementation and the use of digital monitoring tools.

He added that more than two million anti-malaria drugs, two million test kits, and 359,596 insecticide-treated nets were distributed across the state in the past year.

‘In the last one year, more than two million anti-malaria drugs, 359,596 insecticide-treated nets, and two million test kits, along with other essential consumables, have been distributed across 235 health facilities,’ Gana said.

He noted that despite security challenges and last year’s flood disaster, Borno maintained immunization coverage in vulnerable areas.

The state’s performance in the IMPACT project highlights its effort to strengthen healthcare delivery in rural and conflict-affected communities.