The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) National Executive Council (NEC) recently concluded a significant meeting, described as having taken place “with the support of the Office of the Vice President and Development Partners.
The gathering at Zuma Hill Resort on the 16th and 17th of July 2025, according to the communiqué, brought together a comprehensive group, including “the ALGON BOT Members, the ALGON National President, ALGON Exco-Members, ALGON State Chairmen from the 36 States and FCT representing the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen in Nigeria, ALGON National Secretariat Personnel, members of the Office of the Nigeria Vice President Nutrition Technical Team, Executive Director of the NPHCDA and his Team, Development Partners and other Stakeholders.
A solemn moment during the proceedings was dedicated to remembrance. The NEC Members “joined in mourning the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari with a minute of silence in his honor, describing his passing as a great national loss.”
The Association particularly recalled “his patriotic leadership qualities and said he will be greatly missed, especially as ALGON remembers his love for the local Governments and the grassroot populace.”
The council also extended its condolences, mourning “the passing of two Local Government Chairmen, Gumel LGA Hon Lawal Yau’u of Jigawa state and Bakori LGA, Hon. Aminu Hamidu in Katsina state, as well as all other deceased members, praying for the families and their departed souls.”
In a notable development for the organization’s structure, the NEC “elected a new Deputy National President,” with Hon. (Engr.) Ikenna Adikibe, Executive Chairman of Oru West LGA, Imo State, stepping into the role following “an existing vacancy in that office.”
Looking ahead, the NEC members “restated their resolve to strengthen engagements and partnerships with multi-sectoral organizations, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, promising to remain resilient in keying into all National programs especially those that directly affect the rural populace.”
This commitment to collaboration was evident through the presentations made during the meeting by various entities, including “the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Nutrition Technical Team, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, FCDO and several Private Sector Organizations.”
The extensive deliberations culminated in a series of crucial declarations. The NEC members “acknowledged and appreciated the Office of the Vice President Nutrition Technical Team for the Bottom-up approach in the Nutrition 774 Initiative implementation.”
Gratitude was also extended to “the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, for his support on the participation of the 774 Local Government Councils in Primary Healthcare service delivery as envisioned by the Alma Ata declaration, the National Health Act 2014 and the National Health Policies.”
Furthermore, the council “acknowledged and appreciated the Development Partners and Implementing Partners for their technical and financial support towards capacity development of the 774 Local Government Councils and strengthening of Primary Healthcare service delivery at the grassroot level.”
Significant progress was also recognized regarding health initiatives, with the NEC “acknowledged and appreciated the Gates Foundation Grant support for the availability of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health service essential commodities at Primary Healthcare Facilities through the Axmed Market Place Platform in partnership with the 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria.”
The communique also noted that ALGON “acknowledged the progress of the ALGON, National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF COMPACT on the decentralization of the Birth Registration activities to the Ward level for the scale-up of the Birth Registration activities across the country.”
The council’s support for collaborative frameworks was clear, as they “supported the ALGON’s Team position at the Joint NPHCDA, NGF, ALGON, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations Committee on the National Primary Healthcare Revitalization Implementation Framework and Roadmap.”
Additionally, they “supported the ALGON MOU with NASSCO for the Disaggregation and Expansion of the National Social Register (NSR), to enhance the 774 Local Government Councils planning and resource management capacity for effective social service intervention activities at the grassroots level.”
Reiterating their core mission, the NEC reaffirmed “the 774 Local Government Councils commitment to promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to PHC service delivery through multisectoral approaches, people-centered delivery of quality health services, and appropriate community health security interventions.”
A commitment to modernization was also highlighted, with the approval of “the development and use of the Primary Healthcare service digitalization system at all 774 Local Government Councils Healthcare Facilities, that addresses governance, financing, accountability, best practice service delivery and community engagement through collaboration and support from the MDAs, Development Partners, Organized Private Sector and other Stakeholders.”
Finally, the council “reemphasized the need for an enhanced strategic engagement with the Private Sector through best practice PPP programs and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) maximization for primary health care to achieve better health outcomes for all people especially the Poor and Vulnerable population in communities,” and “reiterated the capacity and capability of the 774 Local Government Councils to demonstrate leadership and accountability in the delivery of their constitutional mandate and ensure good governance at the Local Government 3rd Tier level of Government.”
The meeting was formally closed by the ALGON National President following the adoption of the communiqué.
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