Hello, I am Dr. Charles Apoki, and today I am here with a message from the heart—a message that reflects the frustration and pain I feel about the state of our nation, Nigeria. It’s alarming and heartbreaking to witness patients protesting for basic necessities in the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s leading teaching hospitals.
Patients in Desperation: No Electricity, No Water for 17 Days
On November 11, 2024, a shocking video surfaced showing patients at UCH banging on metal railings, raising their voices not in hope but in desperation. For 17 days, the hospital had no electricity and no water. Patients were pleading for the bare essentials of a medical facility. They were saying, “We don’t want to die!” The situation highlights the profound dysfunction within our healthcare system.
It is hard to fathom how a hospital like UCH, with its rich history and importance, could be neglected in such a way. For perspective, UCH was once one of the best hospitals in the Commonwealth, a place where foreign students came to study and patients from other countries, like Saudi Arabia, came for treatment. I graduated from this institution in 1984, and back then, it was reliable—electricity, water, and fully functional facilities were guaranteed. Today, 40 years later, it’s a shadow of what it once was.
The Basic Implications of No Power and Water
The absence of these basics is more than just inconvenient; it’s a tragedy. Without water, bedsheets go unwashed, lab tests are halted, cooking for patients becomes impossible, and toilets are unusable. Without power, essential medical services such as X-rays, MRIs, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are non-functional. This isn’t a small local clinic—it’s one of Nigeria’s premier teaching hospitals. The fact that patients are pushed to the point of protest is a powerful testament to the severity of the issue.
Misplaced Priorities and A Broken System
Nigeria is an oil-producing nation, yet our public hospitals cannot maintain the basic utilities. Instead, funds are often allocated to projects that serve the interests of a few—yachts, luxury jets, and renovations for the homes of those in power. Billions are spent on things that have little to no benefit to the average Nigerian, while our healthcare system is left to rot.
This disconnect reveals a critical issue: a leadership that lacks both the will and capacity to govern effectively. I’ve always maintained that the current crop of leaders is unfit to handle the immense responsibility they’ve taken on. Bribery, manipulation, and self-serving decisions might buy political positions, but they cannot provide the competence needed to steer a nation.
A Time for Accountability and Real Change
Leadership in this country must realize that our institutions, from hospitals to schools and infrastructure, are crumbling. The suffering they have allowed cannot be solved by flying abroad for treatment or hiding behind security walls. We are all part of this country, and as Nigerians, we deserve better. We cannot allow this wickedness and neglect to continue. The reality is that Nigeria will ultimately catch up with everyone—there’s no escaping the consequences of a nation this sick.
As I write this, I remember the faces of the patients in that video—the elderly, the young, the suffering. They represent every Nigerian citizen abandoned by the system. We have failed ourselves, and we have failed each other. But this cycle of failure doesn’t have to continue. We need leaders who will prioritize the well-being of the people, and we must hold them accountable to that standard.
Join the Conversation for Real Solutions
If this situation angers you as much as it does me, then join me. On December 6th and 7th, I am hosting a webinar focused on finding practical ways to improve our lives, despite the challenges we face. Register by messaging +234 802 121 9262, and let’s discuss how we can begin to turn this country around, one step at a time.
We cannot continue like this. It’s time for real change, and it starts with us.
