SOKOTO STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH CONDUCTS ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLAN (AOP) STEP-DOWN TRAINING FOR HEALTH SECTOR PLANNING CELL OFFICERS

The Sokoto State Ministry for Health, in collaboration with Plan International, successfully conducted a two-day Annual Operational Plan (AOP) Step-Down Training for Health Sector Planning Cell Officers across the State’s health Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The training, which was held from Friday, 24th to Saturday, 25th July, 2026, at Grand New Shukura Hotel, Sokoto, was designed to strengthen the capacity of Planning Cell Officers on the updated web-based Annual Operational Plan (AOP) template, enhance their understanding of the annual planning process, and review progress in the implementation of key health interventions aligned with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB).
Representing the

Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Bashiru Bello, emphasized the importance of effective planning in achieving improved health outcomes across Sokoto State.

He stated that the training was organized to equip Planning Cell Officers with the knowledge and practical skills required to develop quality operational plans, strengthen monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and ensure evidence-based planning for efficient healthcare service delivery.

Bashiru Bello further commended Plan International for its continued partnership and support to the Sokoto State Government in strengthening the health sector.

He urged participants to actively engage throughout the training and apply the knowledge gained to improve planning processes within their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

The two-day training provided participants with practical sessions on the updated AOP web-based template, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation, and best practices for aligning sectoral plans with the State’s health priorities.

At the end of the training, participants expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State Ministry for Health and Plan International for organizing the capacity-building programme, describing it as timely and relevant to improving planning and service delivery within the health sector.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuous capacity development of its workforce and to strengthening strategic planning processes that will enhance the quality of healthcare services across Sokoto State.

Bashiru Garba
Public Relations Officer
Ministry for Health
Sokoto State