Leaders of organised labour in Ondo State, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), have commended the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) for its performance, passing a vote of confidence in the state health insurance scheme over improved access to quality healthcare for workers and residents.
The commendations were made at the Expanded Labour Union Stakeholders’ Engagement held in Akure on Thursday, December 18, 2025, where labour leaders and other stakeholders reviewed the implementation and impact of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS).
In his welcome address, the Director-General of ODCHC, Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin, thanked participants for their presence and support, while commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing the platform to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
He described efficient healthcare delivery and socio-economic welfare as a core pillar of the OUR EASE mandate, explaining that the engagement focused on both the formal and informal sectors under ORANGHIS. According to him, the panel session was structured to gather feedback and identify practical steps for improvement.
In his opening remarks, the Special Adviser on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, said the Aiyedatiwa administration remained committed to protecting residents from financial hardship arising from medical needs. He noted that the government was working to ensure that “people do not fall into catastrophic spending in pursuit of good health,” stressing that while progress had been made, more efforts were required to achieve statewide impact.
Odimayo highlighted the handover of the UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Akure Complex, to the Federal Government as the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Akure, describing the achievement as a product of “doggedness, determination and hard work.”
He also commended the governor for the launch of the Emergency Medical Services, which provides 24-hour emergency response and free medical care for the first 48 hours at the nearest hospital. He described the initiative as a major collaborative effort between the federal and state governments, urging stakeholders to support ODCHC in expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare.
Speaking on labour relations, the Special Adviser on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, expressed satisfaction with the commission’s achievements under its current leadership. He praised the annual stakeholders’ engagement, noting that it provided a safe platform for frank discussions and constructive feedback.
The Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Adiji Ayodele, confirmed that capitation payments from ODCHC to hospitals were made monthly without delay. He said, “The payments have never been delayed. In fact, the December capitation has been paid in advance, and we ensure that all needed drugs and consumables are procured for hospitals to provide quality healthcare services to enrollees.” He added that improvements in service delivery were encouraging.
Also speaking, the Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, Pharm. Olaosebikan Gbenga, said the agency was established to prevent chaotic drug distribution in line with the Federal Ministry of Health’s mandate. He explained that drugs supplied through public facilities were traceable to manufacturers and noted that the agency had been working closely with ODCHC to ensure the availability of trusted and affordable medicines. He commended the Director-General of ODCHC for the timely release of funds for drug procurement.
In his goodwill message, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Demola Olapade, said organised labour initially scrutinised the scheme due to concerns over salary deductions. However, he noted that confidence grew after observing the commission’s delivery of quality healthcare to enrollees. He described feedback from workers as encouraging, while urging the commission to sustain and improve its performance.
The TUC Chairman, Comrade Clement Fatuase, said labour unions had remained united in their support for the commission despite past disagreements. He described the achievements of ODCHC as visible, declaring that both the TUC and NLC had passed votes of confidence in the commission.
Represented by its Vice Chairman, Comrade Ebiseni Kayode, the JNC Chairman, Comrade Ajiboye Segun, described the commission’s interventions as life-saving. He urged public officers to serve with integrity and accountability, describing ODCHC as one of the best-performing agencies in the state.
The NULGE President, Comrade Frederick Akinrinnola, represented by his deputy, Comrade Ogunjemiyo, said positive testimonies about the scheme were widespread among local government workers. He, however, raised concerns about drug availability in some rural facilities, expressing confidence that the commission would address the gaps.
Providing an update on ORANGHIS, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Oluwole Ekundayo, disclosed that 108,974 people had enrolled as of the time of the engagement, reflecting growing public confidence in the programme. He added that over ₦45 million had been expended on enrollees who sought financial support under the medical assistance programme, covering specialised care such as renal dialysis, open reduction and internal fixation, and intensive care services.
According to him, beneficiaries received treatment at tertiary health facilities across the country, including Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti; Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex; and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, among others.
Mrs. Aderonke Ibitoye, Director of Business Development and Client Relations at ODCHC, said the commission had intensified sensitisation through outreach programmes across the 18 local government areas of the state to expand enrolment. She explained that the individual health insurance plan costs ₦18,000 per annum for persons below 60 years and ₦36,000 for those above 60 years, while the family plan costs ₦90,000 per annum, covering the principal enrollee, a spouse and up to four children under 18.
Ibitoye also informed stakeholders about the tertiary institution scheme targeted at students, noting that the commission had visited several public and private institutions as part of its sensitisation drive. She disclosed that a private nursing school in Akure had already been onboarded and would begin accessing care by January 2026, urging union members to help raise awareness and guide interested individuals to the commission for enrolment.
