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Ogun LGs to Register 8,000 Okada Riders for Health Insurance Coverage
The chairmen of Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South Local Governments, Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo and Afeez Balogun, have announced plans to register at least 8,000 commercial motorcyclists for the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.
Speaking at a joint press briefing on Tuesday at the Ogun NUJ secretariat in Abeokuta, Oyegbola-Sodipo said the initiative aligns with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to grassroots residents, especially those in the informal sector.
Under the scheme, subscribers will be treated for ailments such as malaria, typhoid, diabetes, hypertension, and undergo basic surgeries like hernia and appendicitis. Commercial motorcycle operators are the primary focus due to the high accident risks they face daily.
Citing Federal Road Safety Corps data, Oyegbola-Sodipo noted that 45% of road accidents in the state involve motorcycles. The health insurance plan will ensure that riders and passengers receive timely medical treatment without financial strain.
Each rider will contribute ₦300 daily for six days a week. Participation is voluntary, with no penalties for non-subscribers, and the scheme does not replace existing daily ticketing by okada unions such as ROMO, ACOMORAN, and AMORAN.
He revealed that 900 riders have already been enrolled since the program launched last Thursday in Abeokuta North, with the goal of reaching 8,000 across the two LGs.
Abeokuta South Chairman Afeez Balogun added that 2,000 elderly residents have already benefited from free healthcare under the scheme. His council will begin enrolling commercial riders from Wednesday, aiming to provide a safety net for the community’s most vulnerable.
