Nasarawa Ministry of Health Establishes Grant Management Unit to Boost Funding and Accountability

Timescope News 

The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has inaugurated a seven-member Grant Management Team as part of efforts to strengthen resource mobilization, coordination, and accountability in the implementation of health programs across the state.

The newly established team, domiciled in the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS), is expected to serve as a central unit responsible for receiving, coordinating, and managing all financial and technical support from development partners, donor agencies, and government funding mechanisms.

The core mandate of the team includes overseeing the planning, implementation, monitoring, financial management, reporting, and compliance requirements of all grants managed by the ministry. The team will also coordinate the development and submission of grant proposals, as well as prepare implementation work plans and schedules for approval by the ministry’s leadership.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, described the establishment of the Grant Management Unit as a strategic and long-awaited step toward improving access to funding opportunities and enhancing the effective utilization of resources in the health sector.

“As a state, we decided that it is needful to create this unit. One of your principal responsibilities is to identify funding opportunities both within and outside the country. There are many agencies and organizations willing to support different kinds of activities, and you must study and understand their requirements, as every grant system has its peculiarities,” he said.

He assured the team of continuous capacity building and institutional support to enable them to perform effectively.

“We will position you to understand the funding landscape well enough to attract resources for the ministry. While you are coming with existing knowledge and skills, there is still a need to learn more, and we will provide that opportunity,” he added.

Dr. Alhassan further urged the team members to remain committed, innovative, and dedicated to continuous self-development, stressing that they must function collectively under the supervision of the Director of DPRS.

He also cautioned that grant management comes with significant responsibility, particularly in ensuring accountability and adherence to the requirements of funding organizations.

The Grant Management Team comprises Jonathan Jatau (Team Lead), Anzaku Samson Sule, Comfort James Abule, Fauziya O. Sani, Anita Luka, Pius Iverson, and Somaya M. Lawal.

Responding on behalf of the team, the Team Lead, Mr. Jonathan Jatau, expressed appreciation to the ministry’s management for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their commitment to delivering on their responsibilities with diligence, professionalism, and integrity