Health
Lagos's Iberekodo PHC in decay, as residents denied basic care
Written By: Alaba Lambert
17 Jan 2026 06:36 AM
Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos – In a stark revelation underscoring systemic failures in Nigeria's public health infrastructure, the Iberekodo Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area has been exposed as a crumbling facility unfit for human use.
A recent visit by the Tracka team, a civic monitoring group, has brought to light conditions that endanger the lives of thousands of residents reliant on this sole healthcare provider in the community.
The centre, serving pregnant women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, lacks running water, functional medical equipment, and basic structural integrity.
According a MonITNG post on Saturday, toilets cannot be flushed, forcing staff to fetch water from distant sources daily a practice that exposes both workers and patients to health risks.
Leaking ceilings, broken roofs, and unsafe treatment rooms compound the issues, with residents compelled to seek care here due to the absence of alternatives.
"This level of neglect is unacceptable," stated the MonITNG platform in a public appeal, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Health Minister Muhammad Pate for immediate renovation and equipping.
Residents of Iberekodo, many from low-income backgrounds, face compounded hardships. Without nearby options, they endure long journeys for care or risk substandard treatment on-site.
TrackaNG, the organization behind the exposé, noted the facility's sorry state persisting for over a year, with walls broken and wards unfit.
This case mirrors a nationwide epidemic of PHC neglect. In nearby Eredo, the Ibowon PHC suffers similar issues broken windows, damaged roofs, and outdated equipment forcing risky travels for care.
Broader reports indicate many Nigerian PHCs are on the verge of extinction due to state and local government oversight failures, with issues like no electricity or water prevalent even in urban areas like Alausa.
In Ogun State, similar abandonments have led to maternal deaths, underscoring the human cost.
As of January 17, no official response from the Lagos State Government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), or the Federal Ministry of Health has been issued to the appeals.
Past statements from Lagos officials, such as those from the Primary Health Care Board, have deferred comments pending higher consultations.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Lagos' new 1,000-bed mental health facility signal investments in specialized care, but critics argue primary services remain underfunded.
Civic groups, including Tracka and MonITNG, demand urgent intervention under the #FixOurPHCs campaign, emphasizing that such neglect violates rights to health and dignity.
With Nigeria grappling with health disparities exacerbated by inequities in access and funding this incident calls for a reevaluation of primary care investments to prevent further crises.
As one report frames it, reducing these gaps requires engaging private providers and revitalizing systems for equitable outcomes.
A recent visit by the Tracka team, a civic monitoring group, has brought to light conditions that endanger the lives of thousands of residents reliant on this sole healthcare provider in the community.
The centre, serving pregnant women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, lacks running water, functional medical equipment, and basic structural integrity.
According a MonITNG post on Saturday, toilets cannot be flushed, forcing staff to fetch water from distant sources daily a practice that exposes both workers and patients to health risks.
Leaking ceilings, broken roofs, and unsafe treatment rooms compound the issues, with residents compelled to seek care here due to the absence of alternatives.
"This level of neglect is unacceptable," stated the MonITNG platform in a public appeal, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Health Minister Muhammad Pate for immediate renovation and equipping.
Residents of Iberekodo, many from low-income backgrounds, face compounded hardships. Without nearby options, they endure long journeys for care or risk substandard treatment on-site.
TrackaNG, the organization behind the exposé, noted the facility's sorry state persisting for over a year, with walls broken and wards unfit.
This case mirrors a nationwide epidemic of PHC neglect. In nearby Eredo, the Ibowon PHC suffers similar issues broken windows, damaged roofs, and outdated equipment forcing risky travels for care.
Broader reports indicate many Nigerian PHCs are on the verge of extinction due to state and local government oversight failures, with issues like no electricity or water prevalent even in urban areas like Alausa.
In Ogun State, similar abandonments have led to maternal deaths, underscoring the human cost.
As of January 17, no official response from the Lagos State Government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), or the Federal Ministry of Health has been issued to the appeals.
Past statements from Lagos officials, such as those from the Primary Health Care Board, have deferred comments pending higher consultations.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Lagos' new 1,000-bed mental health facility signal investments in specialized care, but critics argue primary services remain underfunded.
Civic groups, including Tracka and MonITNG, demand urgent intervention under the #FixOurPHCs campaign, emphasizing that such neglect violates rights to health and dignity.
With Nigeria grappling with health disparities exacerbated by inequities in access and funding this incident calls for a reevaluation of primary care investments to prevent further crises.
As one report frames it, reducing these gaps requires engaging private providers and revitalizing systems for equitable outcomes.
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