Despite receiving substantial allocations, Osun's 30 local councils are struggling to provide basic amenities to their residents. Between January 2025 and June 2026, the councils received ₦238.4 billion in allocations. However, residents in several communities continue to decry deteriorating infrastructure, including poor roads, struggling health centres, under-resourced schools, and broken water systems. The leadership tussle between the ruling and opposition political parties across the 30 LGAs has led to concerns about the management of public funds.
Residents of Oore, a village in Osun State's Boripe Local Council, face significant challenges in accessing healthcare. The Oore Primary Healthcare Centre is often locked up, and health workers are rarely available. Suliat Oyetunji, a resident, had to give birth at home due to the lack of dependable care at the facility. Similar concerns emerged in other communities visited by DevReporting, highlighting the need for improved healthcare services. The Boripe LGA received ₦8.41 billion in allocations between January 2025 and June 2026.
The Abebi Afilaka Health Centre in Okebode, Atakunmosa West LGA, faces shortages of drugs, inadequate personnel, and unreliable electricity. Healthcare workers use phone flashlights to deliver pregnant women due to the lack of power supply. The community has had to rely on private initiatives to repair the maternity centre after a storm damaged it in 2019. The secretary of the Okebode palace, Adebowale Adeorike, said the community's efforts to repair the facility were met with promises from the government, but no action was taken.
In Olugunna, Osogbo LGA, residents have lost confidence in their local health centre due to shortages of drugs and the absence of qualified personnel. Folasade Adeleke, a resident, said the health centre is not a reliable option for maternal care, and none of her children were delivered at the facility. The community's struggles with healthcare highlight the need for improved services and infrastructure. The Ife East LGA received the highest allocation, totalling ₦9.56 billion, while Ifelodun received ₦6.53 billion.
Residents of Odofin, a community in Ifelodun LGA, face challenges with road infrastructure. The absence of proper drainage makes the road vulnerable to flooding, and community efforts to sand-fill the road have been the only solution. Sulaiman Adeyemi, a resident, said the road connecting Odofun to Inisa has not been repaired in over 15 years. The community's difficulties extend beyond roads to water supply, electricity, and access to healthcare.
The challenges facing Osun's local councils extend to public education, where inadequate staffing and deteriorating facilities undermine children's access to learning. Public schools are often littered with faeces and dirt, and some communities have had to withdraw their children and enrol them in private schools due to teacher shortages. The Baale of Oore, Adekunle Mudashiru, said the community's renovated school lacks enough teachers to cater to its pupils.
The management of public funds and the provision of basic amenities have become pressing concerns for Osun's 30 local councils. While the councils have received substantial allocations, the lack of transparency and accountability has led to questions about the use of funds. The situation has resulted in a leadership tussle between the ruling and opposition political parties, further exacerbating the challenges faced by residents.
Key points
- Osun's 30 local councils received ₦238.4 billion in allocations between January 2025 and June 2026.
- Residents face significant challenges in accessing basic amenities, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- The leadership tussle between the ruling and opposition political parties has led to concerns about the management of public funds.
