By Fatima Saka
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom mni, have been honoured for their contributions to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s IMPACT project.
The awards were presented on Thursday during the Project Impact Dissemination session at the 2026 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja.
Pate received an award in recognition of his visionary leadership and steadfast support for the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, as well as his contributions to advancing primary healthcare in Nigeria.
Salako was similarly recognised for his outstanding leadership and support for the successful implementation of the project. The award was received on his behalf in his absence.
Kachollom was honoured for her strategic leadership and support towards the successful implementation of IMPACT in her capacity as Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Other award recipients included the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, who was recognised for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the project.
The National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Nnenna Oguolafo, also received an award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to the implementation of the programme.
The Commissioners of Health Forum was honoured for its extraordinary strength in implementation and strategic support for the IMPACT project.
The Chairman of the Commissioners of Health Forum, Dr. Banji, was also acknowledged during the presentation.
Similarly, the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Matthew Verdis, received an award in appreciation of his strategic leadership and valued support for the project.
An award was also presented on behalf of Rifat Hassan, Practice Manager, Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank, in recognition of her contribution to creating an enabling environment for the programme.
The recognition ceremony brought together senior government officials, heads of health agencies, state commissioners and development partners to celebrate their contributions to the implementation of the IMPACT project.
The awards formed part of activities marking the dissemination of the project’s achievements and recognition of the stakeholders whose leadership and institutional support contributed to its delivery and Nigeria’s broader primary healthcare reform efforts.
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