Lagos Health Leaders Set 2026 Agenda, Link Plans to Budget for Better Outcomes
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has begun the development of its 2026 Annual Operational Plan (AOP), with top officials stressing the need for deliberate planning, budget alignment, and prioritisation of resources to deliver measurable health outcomes for residents.
At the Top Management Committee Meeting held on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Ikeja, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the plan must draw from global and national health directives while reflecting the Lagos State Development Plan and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda.
He warned that plans not tied to the state’s budget risk failure. “You cannot have your budget not speak to your plan. If you don’t align your budget with your plan, you are essentially planning to fail,” he stated.
The Commissioner listed human resources as a priority, highlighting progress on the proposed Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences, which he said would boost the supply of medical professionals and attract diaspora talents.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the AOP process as crucial to Lagos’ leadership in health delivery, urging officials to emphasise efficiency, collaboration, and private sector partnerships. She said digital platforms like the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) and the HOPE initiative would be game changers in implementation.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, cautioned against “lazy planning” and recycling of old budgets, urging evidence-driven prioritisation. “A plan is only useful when it translates into measurable outcomes,” he said, calling for boldness in dropping unfeasible projects.
Development partners also pledged support. Mrs. Fanimokun Adesola of The Challenge Initiative (TCI), supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, described Lagos’ AOP process as an important framework for inclusive health planning. UNFPA’s Dr. Akinkunmi Akinbajo commended Lagos for its coordination and said the agency would deepen collaboration in maternal health and family planning.
The 2026 AOP is expected to drive Lagos’ health priorities in human resource development, medical education, digitalisation, and universal health coverage, with stakeholders stressing that effective planning remains the bedrock of improved health outcomes.