Dr Wole Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, has pledged to generate N72 billion annually from the state's health sector as part of a broader economic transformation plan. Speaking during a campaign event in Ado-Ekiti, Oluyede criticised the current budgetary allocation to healthcare, describing it as insufficient for a state of Ekiti's size and potential. He argued that accessible and quality healthcare is a fundamental duty of government, and positioned the health sector as a key driver of economic growth rather than just a social service. Oluyede outlined plans to restructure public hospitals into revenue-generating facilities through public-private partnerships, improved management, and service delivery reforms. He claimed that with the right policies, the health sector could become a major contributor to the state's internally generated revenue. "We are not just talking about fixing hospitals—we are talking about making them work for the economy," Oluyede said. His proposal includes upgrading infrastructure, incentivising medical professionals, and expanding health insurance coverage across local government areas. The June 20 governorship election will determine the successor to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is completing his first term in office. Oluyede, a medical doctor and former commissioner in the state, is positioning his professional background as an asset in executing the plan. Other candidates in the race include candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the election date and is overseeing campaign activities.
When Oluyede says he will generate N72 billion annually from Ekiti's health sector, he is reframing healthcare not as a cost centre but as an economic engine—something no governorship candidate in the state has attempted with such specificity. That figure, if achievable, would more than double the state's current annual internally generated revenue, suggesting a radical shift in fiscal strategy. But turning hospitals into revenue generators requires more than policy rhetoric—it demands transparency, efficiency, and sustained investment, all in a sector long plagued by neglect. The real test will be whether this vision is a campaign slogan or a blueprint with measurable pathways.
