Osun State Government Defends Top PHC Ranking, Exposes Opposition Misinformation and Past Neglect
The Osun State Government has strongly condemned what it describes as a deliberate and malicious attempt by the Osun APC Campaign Council to misrepresent a recent report from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). In a detailed rebuttal, the government reaffirmed that Osun remains the undisputed leader in primary health care (PHC) access across the entire South West region of Nigeria.
Setting the Record Straight: What the NPHCDA Report Actually Says
In a statement issued in Osogbo, the Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, clarified that the NPHCDA report merely identified a number of inactive Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across all 36 states. It did not constitute a comprehensive national ranking. The commissioner emphasized that the report’s findings were a snapshot of operational status, not a performance index. He pointed out that the true, authoritative national rating is conducted annually through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge, a rigorous, multi-faceted evaluation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the NPHCDA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Understanding the NGF PHC Leadership Challenge
This is not a simple headcount of active facilities. The NGF Challenge is a competitive, data-driven exercise that examines every critical aspect of primary health care delivery, including:
- Governance Structure: How effectively state governments manage and oversee their PHC systems.
- Funding Access & Utilization: The percentage of the state health budget allocated to PHCs and how efficiently those funds are spent.
- Equity: Ensuring that health services reach the most vulnerable and remote populations.
- Facility Upgrade & Operationalization: The actual state of infrastructure, equipment, and staffing at PHC facilities.
It is within this comprehensive framework that Osun State has excelled.
Osun’s Proven Track Record: Back-to-Back Zonal Champion
The commissioner reminded the opposition that Osun State, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has won the Zonal Best Performing State Award (Southwest region) for two consecutive years—2024 and 2025 (reflecting performances in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025). This is not a matter of opinion; it is a documented, independently verified achievement.
Furthermore, the state’s national standing has improved dramatically:
- 2024: Osun placed 4th nationally among all zonal champions.
- 2025: Osun climbed to 3rd place nationally, outperforming many larger, wealthier states.
These victories came with tangible rewards: Osun received two separate cheques of $500,000 each (totaling $1 million) as award funds. Crucially, the government states that this money is being reinvested directly into the PHC system for continuous upgrades and revitalization—a cycle of success that benefits every resident.
A Stark Contrast: The Oyetola Era
The government contrasted this success with the performance of the previous administration under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. At the maiden edition of the NGF PHC Leadership Challenge Gala/Awards night on May 17, 2023 (based on 2022 performance), Osun State finished a distant 26th position nationally. Borno State, a region often associated with conflict, emerged as the overall winner, highlighting the depth of Osun’s previous failure.
Exposing the Root Cause: A $20 Million World Bank Grant Squandered
The statement went further, accusing the previous APC administration of gross financial mismanagement. It alleged that a $20 million World Bank grant intended for primary health care was diverted into a “slush fund” and misappropriated. The government claimed that the previous administration engaged in “window dressing” of PHCs—cosmetic renovations that failed to provide essential utilities like running water and solar-powered electricity, rendering many facilities non-functional despite the appearance of work.
“No amount of manipulation can make Osun residents forget the brazen acts of misappropriation and illegal diversion of a huge part of over $20 million dollars grant received by the immediate past administration, from the European Union to other projects,” the statement asserted.
The Adeleke Administration’s Redemptive Strategy: A Ward-by-Ward Revolution
Upon taking office in late 2022, Governor Adeleke launched an aggressive, systematic rehabilitation program. The centerpiece is the renovation and operationalization of 332 main/high-volume PHCs—one for each of the 332 wards in Osun State. This is not a cosmetic exercise; each facility is being equipped with 24-hour solar energy and a reliable water supply.
Phased Implementation and Current Status
- Phase 1: Renovation of 200 PHCs to world-class standards—successfully completed.
- Phase 2: Renovation of the remaining 132 centers, scheduled for phased completion at 50 PHCs at a time due to financial constraints.
- Current Status: Despite the “unjustifiable hijacking” of over N300 billion in Osun Local Government allocations by the Osun APC (a matter currently in the courts), the first tranche of 50 PHCs is under renovation, with 30 already at the completion stage.
Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Investing in People
The government emphasized that its strategy goes beyond infrastructure. It has focused on improving the morale and conditions of service for health workers, which directly impacts patient care.
Key Human Resource Reforms
- Grade Level 09 Entry for Nurses: The Adeleke administration approved and implemented a passionate request from nurses to enter the civil service at Grade Level 09, a standard enjoyed in many other states but “blatantly rejected” by the Oyetola administration.
- 100% Hazard Allowance: Governor Adeleke approved and implemented the payment of 100% hazard allowance for all healthcare workers, a policy now in full force in Osun State.
Equipment, Drugs, and Laboratories
- Service Delivery Equipment: Modern equipment has been distributed to PHCs to enhance the quality of care.
- Standardized Laboratories: The government is working to establish one designated standard laboratory in each Local Government Area. To date, 12 such laboratories have been established and fully outfitted.
- Regular Drug Distribution: The administration ensures a consistent supply of essential drugs to all PHCs.
- Continuous Training: Capacity-building workshops for healthcare workers are a routine activity.
Conclusion: Results Over Rhetoric
Dismissing the APC’s allegation that “Adeleke has taken Osun health sector back to the stone age,” the commissioner concluded with a powerful statement: “The best way to shame your critics is to show them results.” The government maintains that the data, the awards, the renovated facilities, and the improved conditions for health workers all speak for themselves, painting a picture of a state that has risen from the ashes of neglect to become a model for primary health care in the South West.