The Oyo State Government has described as inaccurate, misleading and contrary to verifiable facts the claim by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation that the state is performing poorly in the area of primary healthcare delivery.
Contrary to the politically-coloured narrative being promoted by the campaign organisation, Oyo State today stands as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of primary healthcare reform, having successfully implemented the Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy, recruited 3,933 health workers, institutionalised sustainable healthcare financing, expanded access to quality healthcare services and recorded measurable improvements across critical health indicators.
While the government welcomes constructive criticism and healthy democratic engagement, public commentary on such a critical sector must be anchored in facts, evidence and objective assessment rather than conjecture and political propaganda.
The reality is that Oyo State has emerged as a national reference point in primary healthcare reform, health system strengthening, workforce development, sustainable financing and service delivery. These achievements are not built on speculation or politically motivated scorecards, but on verifiable evidence, documented interventions and measurable outcomes.
As part of its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery, the state has successfully implemented the Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy, the nationally recognised framework for improving primary healthcare services across Nigeria.
Oyo State established the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board in 2015, enacted and strengthened the legal framework supporting PHCUOR, developed and periodically reviewed its Minimum Service Package for healthcare delivery, and successfully transferred the management and administration of primary healthcare personnel to the Board. These reforms have positioned the state among the leading PHCUOR-performing states in the country.
The government has also strengthened governance and accountability through robust monitoring and evaluation systems, integrated supportive supervision across the 33 Local Government Health Authorities, operational guidelines for service delivery and sustained investments in digitisation and electronic health systems.
One of the most significant interventions of the Governor Seyi Makinde administration is the recruitment of 3,933 healthcare workers across critical cadres within the primary healthcare sector, including doctors, nurses, community health officers, pharmacists, nutrition officers, ambulance drivers and support personnel.
In the area of financing, Oyo State has established one of the country’s most innovative and sustainable funding mechanisms for primary healthcare by creating a legal framework that dedicates 7.5 per cent of local government statutory allocations to primary healthcare programmes. This model has become a reference point for other states seeking to strengthen their healthcare financing systems.
The allegation that Oyo State is underperforming in programmes supported by the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) is equally misleading. The state remains fully compliant with BHCPF requirements, including counterpart funding obligations, Direct Facility Funding protocols and quarterly performance reporting systems. Indeed, Oyo State continues to receive BHCPF disbursements and has not been sanctioned for violating any of the programme’s operational guidelines.
The Makinde administration has also undertaken a systematic revitalisation of primary healthcare infrastructure across the state. Facilities that suffered years of neglect have been renovated, upgraded and equipped, while efforts to ensure access to functional healthcare facilities in every ward continue unabated.
Furthermore, the scope of primary healthcare services has been significantly expanded to include mental health, dental care, eye care, adolescent health, geriatric health and school health services, thereby improving both the quality and accessibility of healthcare available to residents.
The state’s commitment to healthcare excellence is equally reflected in measurable improvements across key health indicators, including immunisation coverage, antenatal care attendance, skilled birth attendance, family planning uptake and nutrition outcomes.
The government has recorded substantial progress in combating childhood malnutrition through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships with development organisations. Recent assessments indicate a significant reduction in child stunting from historical estimates of approximately 34.7-37 per cent to 26.8 per cent in the MDHS 2025/2026 report. Under the ANRiN programme, Oyo State achieved an even sharper decline in stunting from approximately 34 per cent at baseline to 23.1 per cent, earning recognition as one of the best-performing states under the programme.
The state also recorded remarkable improvements in other nutrition indicators. Wasting prevalence declined from 14.4 per cent in the NDHS 2024 to 6.6 per cent in the MDHS 2025, representing a reduction of more than 54 per cent, while under-five underweight prevalence improved from 26.1 per cent to 17.7 per cent. Infant and young child feeding indicators also improved significantly, with minimum meal frequency rising from 11.4 per cent to 39.4 per cent and minimum acceptable diet increasing from 5.8 per cent to 12.9 per cent.
Through primary healthcare facilities and community platforms, the government has strengthened the delivery of essential maternal, infant and young child nutrition services. Maternal nutrition interventions, including micronutrient supplementation, nutrition counselling and the promotion of improved dietary practices among pregnant and breastfeeding women, have been expanded statewide.
In further demonstration of its commitment to improving maternal and child health, Oyo State committed ₦227 million in UNICEF matching funds for the implementation of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS). Preventive nutrition services have also improved considerably, with Vitamin A supplementation coverage increasing from 39.1 per cent to 69.4 per cent among children.
These achievements, together with strengthened multisectoral collaboration and community-based nutrition programmes, underscore the state’s commitment to evidence-based interventions that improve health outcomes, reduce malnutrition and enhance the quality of life of mothers and children across Oyo State.
On digital health innovation, Oyo State has remained a pacesetter through continuous investments in digital infrastructure, the deployment of computers and equipment across primary healthcare facilities, the training of healthcare workers and the gradual implementation of electronic medical record systems.
The state currently operates hundreds of functional primary healthcare facilities under the BHCPF programme and recently secured approval for additional facilities following assessments conducted by the relevant federal authorities.
The administration’s efforts have also strengthened disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, community participation through Ward Development Committees and coordinated responses to public health challenges.
Given these verifiable achievements, it is difficult to reconcile the claims of poor performance with the reality on the ground. The facts are clear, the records are verifiable and the results are evident across the state’s healthcare system.
The Oyo State Government remains committed to building a resilient, accessible and people-centred healthcare system for all residents. While others may choose to play politics with healthcare, this administration will remain focused on delivering results.
The true measure of governance is not in headlines, allegations or partisan scorecards, but in functional health facilities, motivated healthcare workers, improved health outcomes and lives positively impacted. On these counts, Oyo State’s record speaks eloquently for itself.
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