The African Development Bank (AfDB) has disclosed reasons why it approved a $46 million loan to support a large-scale health infrastructure overhaul in Sokoto State, reports thegazellenews.com.
The Board of AfDB, which made this disclosure through a statement issued on Friday, 1 August, 2025, said it approved the loan to address long-standing gaps in access and quality of healthcare in the region.
“The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $46 million loan to finance the Sokoto State Health Infrastructure Project, a transformative initiative designed to enhance healthcare access and quality in Nigeria’s Sokoto State”, the statement partly read.
Continuing, the Bank explained that the state’s health system is in urgent need of intervention, as critical indicators reveal widespread deficiencies.
“The project addresses critical health system gaps in Sokoto, where key indicators reflect a critical need for intervention. Only one in 20 children is fully vaccinated, while infant mortality stands at 104 deaths per 1,000 live births, nearly double Nigeria’s national average of 63.
“Less than 14 per cent of health facilities in the state have functional infrastructure, and there is just one doctor for every 8,285 people — far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of 1:1,000”, the statement continued.
Explaining further, the statement added that AfDB’s investment will target the construction and equipping of health facilities across multiple tiers of care.
“The Bank’s financing will support the delivery of climate-smart health infrastructure across three levels of care. These include the construction and equipping of a 1,000-bed teaching hospital complex; three zonal hospitals with a combined capacity of 450 beds; and six primary healthcare centres strategically located to serve rural communities.
“The project also includes the rehabilitation of health training institutions and the development of a modern medical warehouse to strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains.”
The statement further noted that the Director General of the African Development Bank’s Nigeria Office, Abdul Kamara, emphasised the long-term impact of the project, stating, “This investment illustrates our commitment to continue working with the Government to fill critical infrastructure gaps in Nigeria’s health system while building resilient, climate-adapted healthcare facilities. By strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State, we are building hope and creating pathways to better health outcomes for millions of Nigerians.”
It added that the initiative aligns with national priorities and aims to boost employment and sustainability. “Aligned with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021-2025) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the project is expected to generate approximately 2,500 jobs, with 60 per cent of opportunities targeting youth and 30 per cent women.
“In addition, the project will integrate electronic health infrastructure and renewable energy systems, ensuring sustainable, energy-efficient operations while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Expanded capacity in local medical and nursing schools will create 700 new training slots annually, helping to address the region’s acute shortage of skilled health professionals.”
