250 bed hospital at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta

By Elijah Udofia

There was a time when Nigeria’s healthcare system commanded respect across Africa. Institutions such as the University College Hospital Ibadan stood as enduring symbols of medical excellence, attracting patients from across the continent. In that era, Nigerians sought treatment with confidence—assured that their hospitals were equipped, their doctors competent, and their chances of recovery strong.

That era, unfortunately, gave way to a prolonged period of decline.

Years of neglect, underinvestment, and a weak maintenance culture eroded the foundations of what was once a thriving system. Public hospitals became overstretched and under-equipped. Confidence diminished. Medical tourism—once inbound—reversed direction, as political elites and those who could afford it increasingly sought care abroad. The consequences have been profound, with preventable deaths and declining service quality now part of the national conversation.

Yet, even within this broader national challenge, there are pockets of progress that deserve attention. Ogun State, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, offers a compelling case of what focused leadership and sustained investment can achieve in the health sector.

From the outset, Abiodun made clear that healthcare would be central to his development agenda. His early visits to key institutions, including the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), as well as general hospitals across the state, were not symbolic gestures. They were deliberate efforts to understand, firsthand, the scale of the challenges—decaying infrastructure, inadequate equipment, personnel gaps, and an overstretched system.

Those assessments have since translated into action.

Over the past seven years, the state has witnessed a steady upgrade of its healthcare infrastructure. Facilities have been rehabilitated, modern equipment introduced, and service delivery improved. Emergency response capacity, once limited, has expanded significantly—from about five ambulances to nearly thirty, complemented by tricycle ambulances extending coverage to rural communities.

Primary healthcare, the backbone of any functional system, has not been left behind. Across the three senatorial districts, hundreds of Primary Health Centres have been constructed and revitalised, bringing essential services closer to the people. The establishment of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre at OOUTH further reflects a more inclusive and responsive healthcare framework.

Equally noteworthy is the administration’s attention to the human element of healthcare. Improved welfare for medical personnel and a renewed focus on patient-friendly hospital environments are helping to restore confidence in public health institutions—an essential step in reversing years of decline.

Perhaps the most ambitious expression of this vision is the ongoing development of the 250-bed Ogun State Medical Centre of Excellence in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Once abandoned, the project has been revived with renewed purpose. Designed as a world-class facility, it is expected to provide specialised medical services that can compete with globally recognised institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Karolinska University Hospital.

With advanced diagnostic capabilities, a modern Intensive Care Unit, and well-equipped laboratories, the centre is positioned not only to serve Ogun residents but to attract patients from across Nigeria and beyond. In doing so, it holds the promise of gradually reversing the long-standing trend of outbound medical tourism.

What stands out in all of this is a clear departure from the culture of abandoned projects that has often characterised public administration. Governor Abiodun’s insistence on completing inherited projects of strategic importance signals a commitment to continuity and value for public investment—an approach that is as pragmatic as it is necessary.

It would be premature to declare mission accomplished. Nigeria’s healthcare challenges remain significant, and Ogun State is not insulated from broader systemic pressures. But the direction is clear, and the progress, though gradual, is undeniable.

In a sector where neglect has long been the norm, deliberate investment and sustained attention represent a meaningful shift. Ogun State’s experience suggests that renewal is possible—not through rhetoric, but through consistent policy, disciplined execution, and leadership that recognises that the health of the people is, indeed, the wealth of the state.

Udofia write from Laderin, Abeokuta