OPINION: Historic PHC Gains Under Dr. Bello Marnona Bolster Gov. Ahmad Aliyu’s Political Strength in Sokoto State

Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Bello Marnona, the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is setting a new benchmark in grassroots healthcare delivery, recording landmark achievements that are transforming lives across Sokoto State. From expanded immunisation coverage and improved maternal care services to strengthened rural health centres and innovative public health interventions, the agency is making history as a model of progress, efficiency, and people-centred governance.

Central to this progress is the leadership of the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Bello Muhammad Marnona, whose efforts have drawn widespread commendation across the state and beyond.

At the flag-off of the 2026 Outbreak Response (OBR) Polio Immunization Campaign, the governor highlighted what many observers now describe as one of the most coordinated and effective public health mobilizations in the history of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

The campaign reflects a renewed commitment by the administration to eliminate poliovirus transmission and strengthen routine immunization systems.

Governor Aliyu reaffirmed that his administration is leaving no community behind. With all 244 wards actively covered, the state deployed an extensive workforce, including 2,830 house-to-house vaccination teams tasked with reaching every household. This strategy ensures that children aged 0–59 months receive life-saving nOPV and bOPV vaccines, while additional provisions cater to infants and young children requiring fIPV and routine immunization services.

Supporting this effort are 3,151 trained healthcare workers stationed across fixed and temporary posts statewide, alongside 488 specialized teams dedicated to reaching transit points, remote settlements, and security-challenged areas. Another 321 fixed-post teams have been positioned at hospitals and strategic locations to guarantee continuous access to routine immunization services.

This layered and inclusive approach underscores a broader vision: a healthcare system that is not only reactive but preventive, equitable, and resilient.

The Commissioner for Health, Faruk Wurno, noted that Sokoto has recorded measurable progress in critical health indicators with the commitment of Special Adviser Dr. Bello Marnona.

According to him, immunization coverage has steadily improved, while child and maternal mortality rates are on a gradual decline. He further revealed that the state has achieved over 95% implementation of National Council on Health resolutions, placing Sokoto among Nigeria’s top-performing states in healthcare delivery.

Dr. Wurno also emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency, particularly in the management of Basic Health Care Provision Funds. These funds, directly disbursed to PHC facilities and tied to structured operational plans, have significantly enhanced service delivery at the grassroots level.

Equally noteworthy is the recognition from international and local development partners, including World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, among others. Their goodwill messages consistently highlighted Dr. Marnona’s strategic leadership and the state’s progress in repositioning primary healthcare as a cornerstone of public service.

Again, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare, Dr. Bilyaminu Yari Sifawa is waxing the strength of the achievement at the Primary Healthcare through his vast experience, dedication, and commitment. His loyalty to the governor is exceptional and it’s driving the State Primary Healthcare to the promised land.

Another achievement so far recorded was the approval of 16.5% budget for the health sector in the state, which is above the national benchmark of 15% and applying the slogan of the Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto “Ko kudi ko Aiki” in SSPHCDA with accountability framework instituted across board and rigorous monitoring and supervision at various health facilities to justify the regular salary staff enjoying.

In his remarks, Dr. Marnona credited the governor’s unwavering support as the driving force behind the agency’s success. He noted that the administration’s investments in workforce development, infrastructure, and community engagement have collectively moved primary healthcare “to the promised land,” setting a benchmark for other states to emulate.

As Sokoto advances its health agenda, the political implications are becoming increasingly evident. The administration’s visible achievements at ward and local government levels are strengthening grassroots support, particularly within the All Progressives Congress.

For many residents, improved access to healthcare is not just a policy success—it is a tangible change in daily life.

With the 2026 immunization campaign setting new standards and the healthcare system showing sustained improvement, Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration is positioning itself as both a public health success story and a formidable force ahead of future electoral contests.

Certainly, with the recent contributions of the Special Adviser to the Governor on PHCDA, a second term is confidently assured through the remarkable achievements recorded in primary healthcare services.

Nasir wrote from Sokoto.