BOSCHMA Wins National GovTech Award for Digital Health Innovation

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) has emerged as the Best State Ministry, Department or Agency in Digital Health Service Delivery at the 2026 Nigeria GovTech Conference Public Service Awards, earning national recognition for its digital transformation initiatives.

The agency also received the prestigious Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer Award alongside the Borno State Judiciary for their contributions to digital innovation and institutional transformation in public service delivery.

The awards were presented through the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) as part of efforts to recognise public institutions and individuals leveraging technology to improve governance, strengthen service delivery and promote efficiency across Nigeria.

The 2026 Nigeria GovTech Conference, themed “Advancing Digital Government: Scaling Digital Infrastructure for Effective Governance and Service Delivery,” brought together representatives of the Nigerian government and international partners to discuss strategies for advancing digital public infrastructure.

The technical session, held at the State House Auditorium, Presidential Villa, Abuja, featured representatives of the European Union, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Estonia, alongside Nigerian government institutions.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, said the awards were designed to celebrate innovation and excellence in public service.

“Today, we celebrate innovation and excellence in public service,” Arabi said, urging stakeholders to remain committed to harnessing emerging technologies to build a better future for Nigerians.

He explained that the annual conference sought to accelerate digital transformation in governance, improve public service delivery through technology, promote innovation and efficiency, and encourage knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.

According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Arabi added that the award category recognises individuals and institutions whose contributions to technology-driven governance support public service delivery and socio-economic development.

Five Years of Digital Transformation at BOSCHMA

Reacting to the recognition, the Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, Dr Saleh Abba Kaza, attributed the agency’s achievement to sustained teamwork, institutional commitment and the support of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.

Kaza, who received the award on behalf of the agency, said the recognition reflected five years of hard work and collective efforts to transform BOSCHMA’s operations through digital technology.

“It was never a one-man job; it was the collective effort of the team, and we all got our inspiration from the governor,” he said.

The executive secretary expressed appreciation to the governor, the state Commissioner for Health, the people of Borno State, the agency’s management team and personnel in its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department for their contributions to the achievement.

He noted that digitalisation had remained a priority since he assumed office as the agency’s pioneer executive secretary, adding that the award was a testament to the commitment and sacrifices of those who had worked behind the scenes to modernise the agency.

Kaza described the recognition as an important milestone for Borno State, expressing gratitude to all those who contributed to the agency’s progress.

Digital Platforms Transforming Healthcare Delivery

Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Kaza said BOSCHMA had digitised several critical aspects of its operations, including healthcare enrolment, customer care, self-enrolment, referrals and financial transactions.

He explained that the introduction of a self-enrolment platform had made it possible for individuals to register digitally without requiring agency personnel to visit communities physically to capture their details.

According to him, the innovation has improved the enrolment process while making the agency’s services more accessible to beneficiaries.

He also disclosed that BOSCHMA had established a control centre that enables him to monitor activities across participating healthcare facilities from his office.

Through the system, the agency can access real-time information on healthcare service delivery and monitor activities in facilities covered by its digitalisation initiative.

Kaza further highlighted the agency’s centralised Electronic Health Record system, which he said provides real-time data on hospital attendance and helps the agency better understand healthcare utilisation across participating facilities.

He explained that access to such information supports more effective monitoring, planning and decision-making in the health sector.

The executive secretary described the digital systems as important tools for improving accountability, operational efficiency and the overall management of healthcare services.

He also encouraged other states and public institutions to adopt similar technology-driven approaches to strengthen their service delivery systems.

According to him, the agency’s progress demonstrates how sustained investment in digital infrastructure can improve institutional performance and create more efficient channels for delivering essential public services.

Borno Judiciary Recognised for Electronic Court System

The Borno State Judiciary also received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer Award in recognition of its electronic court system and efforts to integrate technology into judicial administration.

The Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, who spoke on behalf of the award recipients, described the recognition as significant, particularly because it acknowledged the judiciary’s investment in electronic court processes.

The recognition highlights the growing role of digital technology in strengthening public institutions, improving administrative processes and enhancing the delivery of essential services to citizens.

National Recognition for Digital Governance

Other recipients at the 2026 Nigeria GovTech Conference Public Service Awards included Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.

The awards formed part of the conference’s broader objective of encouraging public institutions to embrace digital solutions that promote efficiency, innovation and effective governance.

For BOSCHMA, the recognition marks a significant achievement in its efforts to modernise healthcare administration and improve service delivery through technology.

The agency’s digital enrolment platforms, electronic health records, centralised monitoring system and other technology-driven initiatives demonstrate its commitment to building a more accessible and data-driven healthcare management system in Borno State.

The award also places the agency among the public institutions receiving national recognition for their efforts to advance digital transformation, reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration, innovation and investment in technology to improve public service delivery.