From a distance, the OAU Primary Health Centre in Ojoku, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, appeared newly constructed when PREMIUM TIMES returned to the power on 6 May 2026.
Its blue-and-white exterior had been painted, the roof was in place, and doorways and home windows had been fitted.
But a better inspection revealed indicators of unfinished work. The clinic was locked, with no well being employees or sufferers in sight. No medical providers have been being offered.
PREMIUM TIMES had first visited the power in December 2025 and located that it was not offering medical providers.
Aminu Nuhu, head of the Department of Health Services, Ankpa Local Government Council, recognized OAU PHC Ojoku as one of six amenities chosen for revitalisation within the council space.
He mentioned the council was nonetheless looking for well being employees to deploy to some of the revitalised amenities.
“Those that have been revitalised, we are looking for staff to put in those facilities,” he mentioned.
However, the absence of personnel was not the one downside.
Mr Nuhu mentioned a borehole had been drilled on the facility however couldn’t provide water as a result of there was no electrical energy or photo voltaic set up to energy the pump.
“They have completed it, but we are expecting them to put it into operation,” he mentioned.
Nearly 5 months after the primary go to, PREMIUM TIMES returned to the power and located that medical providers had nonetheless not commenced.
A safety guard on the facility mentioned there was no medical tools inside.
“There is nothing inside,” he mentioned. “It’s just the building.”
The state of affairs at OAU PHC Ojoku was among the many issues uncovered throughout a months-long PREMIUM TIMES investigation into the Kogi State authorities’s multibillion-naira major healthcare revitalisation programme.
The investigation examined whether or not the federal government’s funding had translated into purposeful well being amenities succesful of delivering important providers to residents.
It discovered unfinished rehabilitation work, insufficient staffing, lack of primary infrastructure and well being employees working from non permanent lodging, regardless of the federal government’s announcement that dozens of amenities had been revitalised and commissioned.
The N7 billion promise
In January 2025, the Kogi State authorities announced that it had dedicated over N7 billion, with help from the World Bank, to upgrade 88 PHCs throughout the state’s 21 LGAs.
The announcement was made in the course of the formal handover of challenge websites to contractors on the Model PHC in Felele, Lokoja.
Governor Ahmed Ododo, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Abdulazeez Adams, mentioned the intervention would contribute to the upgrading of greater than 150 PHCs into purposeful Level 2 amenities.
The contractors have been directed to finish the initiatives inside 4 months.
On 7 November 2025, the state authorities announced the commissioning of 80 revitalised PHCs.
Muazu Musa, govt director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, mentioned the amenities had been reworked from Level 1 to Level 2.
Under the federal authorities’s 2025 HOPE-PHC Programme Operations Manual, purposeful Level 2 PHCs are anticipated to provide 24-hour well being providers, together with primary emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
The programme’s verification framework additionally covers the provision of expert beginning attendants, dependable electrical energy or backup solar energy, purposeful bogs with water and entry to wash water.
These necessities are meant to make sure that upgraded amenities can provide important healthcare providers past enhancements to their bodily constructions.
However, the Kogi State Government didn’t provide PREMIUM TIMES with the entire record of the 80 amenities it announced as commissioned.
As a outcome, the newspaper couldn’t independently set up whether or not the amenities inspected in the course of the investigation have been amongst these formally commissioned.
Following the cash: N6.09 billion in 4 contracts
A evaluate of Kogi State procurement disclosures revealed 4 infrastructure contracts overlaying 88 PHCs.
The contracts had a mixed worth of N6.1 billion and have been awarded to Multi Purpose Errand Mens Services Ltd, QSA Nigeria Ltd, Inknuel Ltd and Base-SAN Ventures Nigeria Ltd.
The data confirmed that N5.5 billion, representing roughly 90.6 per cent of the mixed contract worth, had been recorded as paid to the 4 contractors.
PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t independently confirm the funds in opposition to financial institution statements or authorities treasury data. The figures are due to this fact described as quantities recorded ‘as paid’ within the procurement disclosure.
The procurement data additionally revealed a discrepancy within the geographical protection of the contracts.
Although the state authorities mentioned the intervention coated all 21 LGAs, the descriptions of the 4 contract heaps recognized solely 20 distinct LGAs.
Kogi LGA, whose headquarters is Koton-Karfe, was not listed in any of the 4 heaps.
This doesn’t essentially imply the LGA was excluded from the intervention. However, with out the entire record of the 88 beneficiary amenities, PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t decide whether or not the omission occurred within the procurement abstract or mirrored the precise distribution of the initiatives.
The mixed contract worth of N6.1 billion was additionally decrease than the federal government’s announced dedication of over N7 billion.
The out there data didn’t clarify what further actions or expenditures accounted for the distinction.
Separately, the state’s 2025 fourth-quarter Budget Implementation Report recorded a closing funds of N8.205 billion for the broader Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) programme.
The report confirmed year-to-date expenditure of roughly N7.818 billion.
However, the IMPACT programme covers actions past the 4 infrastructure contracts. Its expenditure can’t due to this fact be handled as the quantity spent particularly on the 88 PHC rehabilitation initiatives.
The data out there to PREMIUM TIMES didn’t reconcile these figures.
Questions over Lot D contractor
One of the contracts, recognized as Lot D, was awarded to Base-SAN Ventures Nigeria Ltd for work overlaying 23 PHCs throughout Ankpa, Olamaboro, Omala, Ofu, Dekina, Ibaji and Bassa LGAs.
The procurement disclosure recorded roughly N1.069 billion as paid below the contract.
During a follow-up go to to PHC Ankpa, PREMIUM TIMES discovered a challenge signboard figuring out “BASESAN VENTURE NIG LTD” because the contractor chargeable for upgrading the power.
The variation between the corporate identify on the signboard and the identify within the procurement disclosure raised questions in regards to the contractor’s exact authorized id.
Separately, publicly out there company info reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES recognized BASESAN Ventures Limited, with registration quantity RC 822294, and listed an individual named “Sanni Eggidi A” as an individual with vital management.
The newspaper couldn’t independently set up whether or not BASESAN Ventures Limited, Base-SAN Ventures Nigeria Ltd and the corporate named on the challenge signboard have been the identical authorized entity or associated firms.
PREMIUM TIMES subsequently contacted Sanni Abdulraheem, the member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency within the House of Representatives, looking for clarification on whether or not he had any connection to BASESAN Ventures Limited.
The similarity between the identify within the company info and that of the lawmaker doesn’t set up that they discuss with the identical particular person.
The newspaper additionally sought clarification on the connection between the businesses and requested data regarding the 23 PHCs coated by Lot D, together with their permitted scopes of work, completion standing and inspection and certification paperwork.
The lawmaker’s response has not been obtained as of publication.
Missing data, unanswered questions
Beyond the discrepancies in contract values and geographical protection, the procurement disclosure didn’t establish all 88 PHCs individually.
It additionally didn’t specify the permitted scope of work, contract worth or cost standing for every facility.
The state authorities didn’t provide PREMIUM TIMES with the entire record of the 80 PHCs announced as commissioned in November 2025.
Without these paperwork, it was unimaginable to match the amenities coated by the contracts with these announced as accomplished and commissioned.
The absence of facility-level inspection reviews and completion certificates additionally prevented unbiased verification of what was permitted, delivered, and licensed at particular person challenge websites.
These gaps don’t, on their very own, set up diversion of funds or failure to execute the contracts. They do, nonetheless, restrict public scrutiny of the federal government’s claims in regards to the intervention.
Between December 2025 and September 2026, PREMIUM TIMES inspected and revisited well being amenities throughout Ankpa, Lokoja and Ajaokuta LGAs.
The newspaper interviewed well being employees, residents, and authorities officers; examined challenge signboards; and reviewed procurement and funds paperwork.
The findings concern amenities that native officers or site-level proof linked to the state intervention.
PHCC Ankpa: providers working, issues persist
At the Primary Health Care Centre in Ankpa (PHCC Ankpa), medical providers have been ongoing when PREMIUM TIMES first visited.
The facility offered antenatal care, routine immunisation, household planning, outpatient consultations and supply providers.
Momo Oneshona, the officer-in-charge, mentioned the centre might obtain as many as 70 sufferers on Mondays for immunisation, antenatal care and basic consultations.
However, the power confronted vital operational challenges.
Health employees mentioned there was no working water, grid electrical energy or solar energy for basic operations.
The out there photo voltaic set up served the vaccine fridges.
“We don’t have solar, we don’t have water here, we don’t have light,” Mrs Oneshona mentioned.
She defined that employees sterilised reusable devices by boiling them over fuel or extraordinary stoves.
During the preliminary inspection, the laboratory was padlocked and appeared dusty.
The facility additionally confronted workers shortages.
“We have a shortage of staff,” Mrs Oneshona mentioned. “They retire; no replacement.”
She estimated that about seven employees have been actively offering providers, together with three Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and two Junior CHEWS.
According to Mrs Oneshona, the scarcity of personnel and absence of a safety guard meant the power couldn’t function in a single day.
This fell brief of the 24-hour service expectations for purposeful Level 2 PHCs.
Contractors left unfinished work
Beyond the operational challenges, PREMIUM TIMES noticed an unfinished constructing present process rehabilitation throughout the facility’s compound.
Doors and window frames had been eliminated and piled inside, while openings within the partitions and roof remained uncovered.
“They scattered our place and went away,” Mrs Oneshona mentioned. “We only saw them working, then they departed.”
Mr Nuhu, the Ankpa LGA well being official, confirmed that PHCC Ankpa was amongst six amenities chosen for revitalisation.
He mentioned building employees left the challenge between December 2025 and January 2026 and had not returned by the point of the newspaper’s preliminary inspection.
Of the six amenities, he recognized PHC Emekutu as the one one he thought-about absolutely accomplished on the time of his interview.
Mr Nuhu additionally described broader staffing challenges throughout Ankpa LGA.
He estimated that the council had 68 functioning PHCs however solely about 50 to 55 per cent of the personnel required to function them successfully.
According to him, 12 amenities relied solely on volunteers, while six or seven retired well being employees had been retained to maintain providers working.
Laboratory affected by rainwater
When PREMIUM TIMES returned to PHCC Ankpa on 28 September 2026, the laboratory was accessible.
Rain had fallen shortly earlier than the go to.
Water was seen on sections of the laboratory ground, while damp and discoloured patches appeared on elements of the partitions.
A challenge signboard on the facility recognized the work because the “Upgrading of Primary Health Care Centre Ankpa – Ankpa LGA”.
It named Kogi State IMPACT Project 2024 because the shopper and listed “BASESAN VENTURE NIG LTD” because the contractor.
The procurement disclosure individually recognized Base-SAN Ventures Nigeria Ltd because the contractor for Lot D, overlaying 23 PHCs throughout seven LGAs.
Although the signboard linked PHCC Ankpa to the IMPACT challenge, PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t get hold of the power’s permitted scope of work, valuation, cost data or completion certificates.
Lokongoma PHC: Renovation adopted by extra building
At PHC Lokongoma, in Lokoja, native well being officers linked the power to the state’s revitalisation programme.
When PREMIUM TIMES visited on 13 May 2026, the centre had a brand new perimeter fence, a paved compound, freshly painted partitions and purple roofing.
However, the gate was locked when the reporter arrived at roughly 5:45 p.m.
A close-by store proprietor mentioned well being employees usually left between 2 p.m. and three p.m.
According to the resident, the clinic offered antenatal care, deliveries, routine immunisation and remedy for minor diseases when open.
PREMIUM TIMES didn’t get hold of the power’s responsibility roster to independently confirm its working hours.
The resident additionally mentioned the clinic had been renovated lower than a 12 months earlier.
Subsequent pictures confirmed that building actions continued after the May inspection.
Images dated 9 July 2026 confirmed work on sections of the purple roof, further constructions and paving.
By 20 July, additional pictures confirmed blue roofing, extra constructions and extra paving.
The pictures set up that additional work came about after the May go to.
However, PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t decide whether or not providers continued throughout building or whether or not the successive works shaped half of the identical challenge.
The out there data additionally didn’t set up what every spherical of building coated, who financed it or whether or not the work had been inspected and licensed.
Ganaja PHC: Eight years at school lecture rooms
At Ganaja, in Ajaokuta LGA, well being employees have been nonetheless offering healthcare providers from two borrowed lecture rooms inside UBE Standard College when PREMIUM TIMES visited.
Local well being officers linked the power to the state’s revitalisation programme.
Health employees mentioned flooding had pressured them to desert their authentic constructing practically eight years earlier.
Since then, that they had been working from the non permanent lodging.
“We were on the other side before, but flood covered that place,” the Officer-in-Charge, recognized as Ms Aminu, mentioned. “We are just managing this place as a temporary site.”
Across the highway from the college, the previous PHC confirmed indicators of extended abandonment.
Vegetation had overtaken elements of the compound, while refuse had amassed across the deteriorating constructing.
Inside the college, one classroom served as an workplace and session room.
Medical provides, vaccine carriers, desks, chairs and affected person data occupied the restricted house.
The association constrained the providers well being employees might provide.
Ms Aminu mentioned the lecture rooms couldn’t accommodate affected person admissions or maternity providers.
She estimated that roughly 10 employees have been hooked up to the power however mentioned there was no midwife.
As a outcome, pregnant ladies requiring supply providers have been referred elsewhere.
Ms Aminu mentioned a alternative PHC was being constructed elsewhere in Ganaja.
She estimated that the challenge was about 70 per cent full.
However, PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t independently confirm the estimate as a result of the reporter couldn’t find and examine the development web site.
Ms Aminu couldn’t provide sufficiently exact instructions, and nobody was out there to accompany the reporter.
She additionally couldn’t provide a completion date or point out when well being employees would relocate.
When PREMIUM TIMES returned in September 2026, the clinic was nonetheless working from the college lecture rooms.
Nearly eight years after flooding displaced the unique facility, well being employees and sufferers have been nonetheless ready for a everlasting constructing.
The state of affairs additionally raised questions on whether or not the alternative challenge had adequately thought-about the flooding that pressured the relocation.
PREMIUM TIMES didn’t set up the trigger of the unique flooding or attribute it particularly to local weather change.
The paperwork reviewed didn’t embrace a flood-risk, environmental or climate-vulnerability evaluation exhibiting what safeguards had been integrated into the alternative challenge.
Commissioned, however have been the amenities prepared?
The Kogi State authorities’s November 2025 announcement that 80 PHCs had been commissioned prompt substantial progress in its healthcare revitalisation programme.
However, findings from amenities inspected by PREMIUM TIMES revealed gaps between infrastructure improvement and the supply of purposeful healthcare providers.
At OAU PHC Ojoku, a newly painted constructing remained with out medical providers throughout follow-up visits.
At PHCC Ankpa, sufferers continued receiving care regardless of unfinished rehabilitation work, staffing shortages and insufficient water and electrical energy provide.
At Lokongoma, further building was documented months after an earlier renovation.
At Ganaja, well being employees continued working from faculty lecture rooms while awaiting a everlasting facility.
Local officers or site-level proof linked these amenities to the state’s intervention.
However, as a result of the entire commissioning record was unavailable, PREMIUM TIMES couldn’t set up whether or not any of the 4 amenities was among the many 80 announced as commissioned.
The newspaper additionally couldn’t get hold of facility-level inspection reviews or completion certificates exhibiting what had been assessed and licensed earlier than commissioning.
These gaps go away vital questions unanswered in regards to the standards used to declare amenities prepared, the work accomplished at particular person websites and whether or not the upgrades translated into the providers anticipated of Level 2 PHCs.
Government fails to provide challenge data
PREMIUM TIMES sought explanations and supporting paperwork from the Kogi State authorities earlier than finishing the investigation.
On 15 May 2026, the newspaper submitted written requests below Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act 2011 to the Kogi State Ministry of Health and the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The requests sought a listing of PHCs; details of revitalisation and infrastructure initiatives; the identities of beneficiary amenities and contractors; contract sums; challenge standing; Basic Health Care Provision Fund disbursements; staffing info; and facility operational data.
The newspaper adopted up by way of phone calls and WhatsApp messages with the Commissioner for Health and Aisha Mohammed, who recognized herself as secretary and private assistant to the manager director of the State’s major healthcare company.
When the requests didn’t produce substantive responses, PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo.
The newspaper knowledgeable him of the excellent requests and requested him to reply on behalf of the federal government or assist get hold of solutions from the related companies.
Calls, WhatsApp messages and a textual content message have been despatched to Mr Fanwo, together with a reminder that the report was being finalised and that the federal government’s response might nonetheless be included.
By publication time, the state authorities had not offered the entire schedule of the 88 amenities, the record of 80 commissioned PHCs, facility-level scopes of work, inspection reviews or completion certificates.
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