Open Letter to Governor Seyi Makinde: Oyo State Deserves Better Healthcare

Your Excellency,

Governor Seyi Abiodun Makinde,

Governor of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Dear Governor Makinde,

I write to you not out of political bias or personal grievance, but as a concerned citizen, a voter, and a stakeholder in the future of Oyo State. This letter is not to attack but to appeal. It is a call to action, driven by a deep sense of urgency and a sincere desire to see our state live up to its full potential—starting with the health of its people.

Sir, it is no secret that our healthcare system is in crisis. From Ibadan to the smallest towns and villages across the state, state-owned hospitals and clinics are falling apart. Many are under-equipped, understaffed, and in some cases, completely non-functional. If Ibadan, the capital city, is struggling with basic medical services, we can only imagine the situation in remote areas.

Our people are suffering. Pregnant women are left without proper care. Children die from preventable illnesses. Patients are turned away due to lack of drugs, equipment, or medical personnel. And yet, there appears to be silence from the leadership entrusted to fix these problems.

Governor Makinde, you are often referred to as a “people’s governor,” but true leadership is measured not in titles, but in impact. The healthcare system in Oyo State has not improved in any tangible way under your administration. In fact, it seems to have worsened. This is deeply disappointing.

It is even more troubling that the current Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, appears to be absent in this crisis. Primary healthcare centers remain severely understaffed. The maternal mortality rate is still unacceptably high. Quack practitioners operate freely. Promises of upgrades and reforms have yielded little to no real change. The people are still waiting.

Sir, this is a matter of life and death. Oyo State’s population should be a blessing, not a burden on a broken system. Yet, our hospitals remain shadows of what they should be. Good healthcare is not a luxury. It is a basic right. And it is the responsibility of any government that claims to serve the people.

As we look toward future elections, I urge you to reflect on the legacy you will leave behind. Will you be remembered as the leader who built stadiums while hospitals decayed? Or as the governor who took bold action when it mattered most?

Governor Makinde, I humbly ask you to prioritize the health of the people over politics and publicity. Restore our healthcare system. Equip our hospitals. Hire more qualified medical personnel. Hold your health ministry accountable.

Oyo State deserves better.

We, the people, deserve better.

Yours sincerely,

Faleye Oluwatosin Simon,

Concerned Citizen & Advocate for Good Governance Nigeria