Ondo Health Sector Under Scrutiny Over Alleged Tribal Favouritism and Career Stagnation

ONDO STATE HEALTH SECTOR: THE GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED NEPOTISM, TRIBAL FAVOURITISM AND CAREER STAGNATION

A Call on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to Uphold Equity, Merit and Professional Excellence in Public Service

Ondo State belongs to all its people, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, political affiliations or ancestral origins.

The state was built on the collective contributions of its diverse ethnic groups, including the Yoruba-speaking communities of Akure, Ondo, Owo, Ikale, Ilaje, Idanre, Akoko and other parts of the state.

Consequently, public appointments and promotions must reflect fairness, merit, professional competence and the principles of equal opportunity. No ethnic group should enjoy preferential treatment at the expense of others, and no qualified professional should have their career progression frustrated because they do not belong to a particular ethnic group.

It is against this background that serious concerns have emerged over alleged patterns of appointments, postings and succession arrangements across key health institutions in Ondo State.

These concerns deserve the urgent attention of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, before they undermine the morale of health professionals, weaken institutional capacity and erode public confidence in the administration.

THE QUESTION OF ETHNIC REPRESENTATION AND FAIRNESS

Ilaje is one of the ethnic communities that contribute to the cultural and social diversity of Ondo State. Members of the Ilaje community have every right to aspire to leadership positions and serve the state at the highest levels of government.

However, the legitimate aspirations of any ethnic group must not be confused with an entitlement to dominate public institutions.

The fundamental question is not whether Ilaje indigenes should occupy important positions. They certainly can, provided they meet the relevant requirements and are selected through a fair and transparent process.

The real question is whether appointments across the health sector are being made on the basis of competence, experience, seniority where applicable, established service rules and institutional needs—or whether ethnic affiliation and personal interests are being allowed to influence decisions.

To answer this question objectively, the government should review the ethnic distribution of appointments alongside the qualifications, seniority, professional experience and selection criteria of the appointed.

1. THE ONDO STATE  MINISTRY OF HEALTH & PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY: A MATTER OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND CAREER PROGRESSION

The current commissioner of Ondo State Ministry of Health is Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka( an Ilaje). Only recently he appointed his Special Assistant as the State Malaria Elimination Program( SMEP) Manager, Dr Lowo ( an Ilaje) . You can dot the I and cross the T.

The Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency is a critical institution responsible for advancing primary healthcare services, strengthening community-level interventions and improving access to essential healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Its leadership requires a sound understanding of primary healthcare administration, public health, preventive medicine, community health systems, maternal and child health, immunisation and the coordination of healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

Concerns have been raised over an alleged plan to transfer Dr Francis Adegoke Akanbiemu from the Primary Health Care Development Agency to the Ministry of Health as he approaches retirement, reportedly in April 2027.

Questions have also been raised about the possible appointment of Dr Emoruwa ( an Ilaje), currently the Provost of the Ondo State College of Health Technology( an appointment he got only few months back) , to head the Primary Health Care Development Agency.

If these reported arrangements are being considered, the government should clarify their rationale and demonstrate how the proposed decisions align with the Agency’s institutional needs, applicable service rules and the qualifications of all eligible candidates.

Why should an experienced officer who intends to complete his career at the Agency be transferred shortly before retirement? Is there a documented administrative justification for such a move? Have the career interests of other qualified officers been considered? 

Are they saying are they saying those officers that have been in PHC since the beginning of their careers are not competent or do not possess the requisite qualifications 

At OSPHCDA— information has it that there qualified officers there—

Dr  V. Adefesoye( Ondo kingdom) , Dr Abiona Samuel (Araromi Obu Kingdom) Dr O. Adeyemi-Osowe ( Ikale kingdom ) Dr C. Omode(Akoko) , Dr Yetunde ( Ondo kingdom) .

Are these officers not qualified? 

Why posting someone who has no PHC experience to head this sensitive and specialized Agency? 

Is it because he is an Ilaje ?

These questions deserve answers . 

At the Ministry- Dr Adelusi,Dr R. Adesoji(Akoko), Dr I. Aladeniyi( Owo). These are Senior officers at the Ministry of Health.

Dr Adelusi ( from Akure kingdom) has reportedly been among the senior civil servants whose progression to the position of Permanent Secretary has not materialised despite previous opportunities. And Also Dr Richard  Adesoji, another senior officer in Ministry, his career progression has also been identified as a matter of concern . In the Ministry, another qualified medical professional is Dr Aladeniyi, why is government not looking in the direction of these doctors?

If the reported posting of Dr Akanbiemu would affect the eligibility, seniority or promotion prospects of these officers, the government must carefully examine the consequences before making a final decision.

Public service should not become an arena where the career advancement of one officer is secured by frustrating the legitimate aspirations of others.

Furthermore, appointing a leader to a specialised health agency( like OSPHCDA) should involve a rigorous assessment of professional competence, relevant experience and institutional knowledge. The government should demonstrate that any proposed candidate possesses the expertise necessary to lead the Agency effectively.

The objective must be to strengthen primary healthcare in Ondo State, not to serve personal interests or advance an ethnic agenda.

THE ONDO STATE CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH COMMISSION

Concerns have similarly been raised regarding succession arrangements at the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, where the current Director-General, Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin, is reportedly approaching the end of his second term.

There are allegations that Dr Ogunbiyi( Ilaje) was transferred from the Hospitals Management Board to the Commission in circumstances that have raised questions about the eventual succession plan.

If such a transfer has taken place, the government should explain its administrative purpose and clarify the process through which the next Director-General will be selected.

Ondo State has medical professionals and public administrators with experience across different health institutions and from different tribes within the state . Their qualifications and records of service deserve fair consideration.

No qualified professional should be excluded from consideration merely because they do not belong to a particular ethnic group. Equally, no individual should be presumed unqualified simply because of their ethnic background.

The standard must be competence, integrity, experience and compliance with the applicable appointment procedures.

THE ONDO STATE DRUG MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Further concerns have been expressed about the reported movement of a pharmacist of Ilaje origin to the Ondo State Drug Management Agency as Deputy Head, amid speculation about succession to the current headship occupied by Pharm. Adetimehin.

The government should ensure that appointments and succession arrangements within the Agency follow established procedures and give all eligible candidates a fair opportunity.

The management of medicines and medical supplies is a critical component of healthcare delivery. 

Leadership decisions must therefore prioritise professional competence, pharmaceutical management experience, accountability and the effective use of public resources.

THE ONDO STATE HOSPITALS MANAGEMENT BOARD

Similar concerns have been raised about an alleged succession plan involving Dr Eniowo (an Ilaje), who currently heads the Mother and Child Hospital, Oke Aro, Akure, has been  positioned and penciled down to take over as Permanent Secretary Hospitals Management Board when the current Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board serves out his term soon.

If Dr Eniowo is being considered for the position, the process should be transparent and consistent with the applicable requirements.

Other qualified professionals within the state’s health system must have a fair opportunity to be considered.

The Hospitals Management Board oversees institutions that provide essential medical services to thousands of residents. Its leadership should be determined by professional suitability, administrative competence and the needs of the health system—not by tribal considerations or political patronage.

THE ALLEGATION OF PERSONAL INTERFERENCE

Perhaps the most troubling allegation concerns claims that Mr Williams Aiyedatiwa , reportedly the Governor’s younger brother, has a personal disagreement with Dr Francis Adegoke Akanbiemu and has sought to have him moved from the Primary healthcare Development Agency.

If any public officer is being transferred primarily because of a personal disagreement with an influential individual, rather than a legitimate administrative consideration, that would raise serious questions about fairness, accountability and the independence of the civil service. 

The appropriate authorities should examine any substantiated complaint and ensure that official decisions are free from improper personal interference.

The civil service must operate according to established rules and institutional responsibilities. Personal disagreements should never be allowed to undermine the integrity of public administration.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CAREERS OF OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS?

This is perhaps the most important question arising from these concerns.

Across Ondo State’s health institutions, medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, administrators and other health professionals have dedicated years to public service. Many have acquired valuable experience, undertaken additional training and waited patiently for promotion and leadership opportunities.

What happens to their career aspirations if succession arrangements are perceived to favour a select group?

What message does it send to hardworking officers when they believe that competence, seniority and years of service may count for less than ethnic connections or political influence?

How can the government sustain staff motivation, institutional loyalty and productivity if qualified professionals lose confidence in the fairness of promotion and appointment processes?

These are not merely questions about individual ambitions. They concern the morale of the workforce, the stability of public institutions and the quality of healthcare available to the people of Ondo State.

A demoralised workforce cannot be expected to deliver its best under difficult conditions.

 A DIRECT APPEAL TO GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA

His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has an opportunity to address these concerns decisively and reassure the people of Ondo State that public appointments remain guided by fairness, competence, accountability and the public interest.

We respectfully urge the Governor to:

1. Review the reported appointments and transfers across the state’s health parastatals to establish whether they comply with civil service rules and applicable professional requirements.

2. Protect legitimate career progression by ensuring that promotion and succession decisions are made transparently and in accordance with the relevant rules.

3. Investigate credible allegations of political or personal interference in the posting and promotion of health professionals.

4. Ensure equal opportunity for qualified professionals across the state’s diverse ethnic communities, without discrimination or preferential treatment.

5. Prioritise professional competence when appointing heads of specialised institutions, particularly the Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Drug Management Agency, the Contributory Health Commission and the Hospitals Management Board.

6. Publish clear selection criteria where appropriate, so that officers and the public can understand the basis for important appointments.

7. Strengthen institutional continuity by ensuring that leadership transitions preserve expertise, maintain staff morale and improve service delivery.

These measures would demonstrate that the government is committed to a civil service in which every qualified officer can aspire to leadership through legitimate and transparent means.

CONCLUSION: ONDO STATE MUST COME FIRST

This is not a campaign against the Ilaje people. It is a call for fairness, equity and good governance.

The Ilaje community is an integral part of Ondo State, just as every other ethnic community is. Its sons and daughters have every right to contribute to the development of the state and occupy positions for which they are qualified.

However, no ethnic group should be perceived as more deserving of public appointments than others, and no individual should be disadvantaged because of their ancestry.

The health sector is too important to become an arena for ethnic competition, personal rivalries or political patronage. The consequences of poor leadership appointments are ultimately borne by patients, communities and the entire healthcare system.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa should therefore ensure that the concerns raised about these reported arrangements receive an impartial and thorough review.

History will remember not merely the appointments made under an administration, but whether those decisions strengthened public institutions, protected the dignity of workers and improved the lives of ordinary citizens.

Ondo State belongs to all of us. Its public institutions must serve all of us. Merit must prevail over favouritism, competence over connections, and the public interest over personal ambition.

More importantly, the people of Ondo State deserve a health system whose leadership is selected to deliver results—not to satisfy ethnic, political or personal interests.

The time to protect fairness, professional integrity and the future of Ondo State’s health sector is now.

Written by:

TEMI -TOPE SILAS ADESOJI