By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring equitable access to quality health services for residents, stressing that strategic partnerships remain essential to achieving sustainable health outcomes.
Abiodun gave the assurance during the commissioning of the Pharma-Grade Central Warehouse of the Ogun State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, describing the facility as a major milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and improve the management of essential health commodities.
Speaking at the event, the governor commended the Global Fund for its sustained support to Nigeria since 2003, noting that the organisation’s investments in HIV, tuberculosis and malaria control, as well as health system strengthening, have significantly improved access to life-saving interventions across the country.
He explained that the newly commissioned warehouse was one of the tangible outcomes of the partnership between Ogun State and the Global Fund, adding that the facility would enhance the storage, management and distribution of medicines, test kits and other critical health products across the state’s 20 local government areas.
“This facility is not merely a building. It is a strategic investment that will strengthen supply chain efficiency and ensure that essential health commodities reach healthcare facilities and patients in a timely manner,” he said.
Governor Abiodun noted that while healthcare workers often receive public recognition for their service, institutions responsible for ensuring the availability of medicines and health commodities also deserve commendation for their vital role in healthcare delivery.
He described the project as a testament to the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, stressing that sustainable progress in the health sector requires shared responsibility, collective accountability and coordinated action.
The governor also urged residents to embrace preventive healthcare practices, participate in screening programmes and enrol in the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme, noting that government alone cannot achieve the desired health outcomes without the active support of citizens.
Abiodun further highlighted Ogun State’s status as Nigeria’s pharmaceutical hub, attributing the achievement to the state’s conducive business environment and commitment to ease of doing business.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the commissioning of the facility underscored the state’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, improving supply chain management and ensuring access to quality medicines and health commodities.
She noted that under Governor Abiodun’s leadership, Ogun State has continued to invest significantly in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development and health systems strengthening.
According to her, the warehouse, built to internationally recognised pharmaceutical storage standards, will significantly improve the storage, inventory management and distribution of essential medicines and health commodities across the state.
In his goodwill message, Executive Director of the Global Fund, Peter Sands, said the warehouse formed part of the organisation’s broader investments in Nigeria’s health sector.
He disclosed that about 21 similar pharma-grade warehouses had been established across the country and commended the Ogun State Government for contributing to the funding of the project.
Sands also stressed the importance of effective governance and strong leadership in ensuring the facility delivers lasting benefits to residents.
Also speaking, Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, described the warehouse as a critical facility that would ensure medicines and health commodities are available when needed and stored under appropriate conditions.
She noted that the project would benefit more than 7.5 million Ogun residents, including 3.3 million children, while helping to reduce stock-outs in health facilities across the state.