By Muyideen Aliyu
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is set to support the Kwara State health sector through a $4.5 million match funding initiative for Nigeria.
The support package was announced during a courtesy visit to Ilorin by the UNFPA Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Muriel Mafico, who commended Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s targeted investments in maternal and child health, inclusive growth, and human capital development.
Under the matching fund framework, states that demonstrate active procurement of reproductive health commodities can access co-investments from the UN agency to bridge critical funding gaps in healthcare delivery.
“This offer of $4.5 million is earmarked for Nigeria. As long as there is evidence of procurement for reproductive health supplies, states are eligible to receive matching funds.”
“We recognize your efforts and leadership, and we are here to co-invest in your vision for health sector development,” Ms. Mafico stated.
The UN delegation was received by Governor AbdulRazaq alongside the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Mary Arinde; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Afolashade Opeyemi; and Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Shehu Ndanusa Usman.
Highlighting the tangible impacts on Kwara’s health sector, Ms. Mafico praised the state’s execution of EU-supported health projects.
Key achievements include the recruitment and deployment of over 100 community midwives, the procurement of ₦1 billion worth of health commodities, and the capacity building of 400 healthcare workers across the state.
The UNFPA head also commended Kwara State for linking gender-based violence (GBV) interventions directly to health infrastructure by integrating survivors into the National Health Insurance Scheme.
In response, Governor AbdulRazaq expressed appreciation for the UN’s financial and technical backing, emphasizing that the $4.5 million support program aligns with the state’s strategic goals in healthcare and human capital expansion.
“This visit presents an opportunity to strengthen our long-standing partnership. We deeply appreciate UNFPA’s support in reproductive health, adolescent and youth development, women’s empowerment, and strategic healthcare planning,” Governor AbdulRazaq noted.