Governor Radda Receives National Award for Advancing Healthcare, Emerges Only Northern Governor Honoured

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has been honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the Maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs) held in Akure, Ondo State, in recognition of his contributions to healthcare development and health insurance reforms.

According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the award acknowledges Governor Radda’s efforts in strengthening medical education, expanding primary healthcare services, and promoting transparency through digital health insurance initiatives. The reforms have significantly improved access to affordable and quality healthcare across Katsina State.

Governor Radda was notably the only governor from Northern Nigeria to receive the prestigious award at the two-day national summit.

Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, the governor expressed gratitude to the organisers and stakeholders for hosting the summit and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

He said the state government had made substantial investments in revitalising primary healthcare centres, expanding health insurance coverage, and implementing community-based health programmes aimed at ensuring healthcare remains accessible to all citizens.

Governor Radda commended the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) and its Executive Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Safana, for driving healthcare reforms and expanding insurance enrolment across both formal and informal sectors, particularly among vulnerable groups.

The governor also congratulated Dr. Safana on his election as Chairman of the Forum of State Social Health Insurance Agencies, describing the appointment as a testament to his competence and dedication to healthcare development.

Radda further praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund allocation from one percent to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, describing the move as a major boost for healthcare financing nationwide.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Safana disclosed that more than 14 million Nigerians had been enrolled in various health insurance schemes by April 2026, reflecting growing progress toward Universal Health Coverage. He noted that the summit provided a platform for collaboration among stakeholders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The summit was themed, “Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for Scalable Health Insurance.”