According to the workers, licence verification has traditionally been conducted by the Ogun State Ministry of Health without any financial burden on health personnel, with the last exercise reportedly held in 2024 at no cost.
A fresh controversy has engulfed Ogun State's primary healthcare sector as community health workers have accused the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OGSPHCDA) and the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NACHPN) of compelling thousands of workers to pay ₦3,500 each in cash for a licence and certificate verification exercise without issuing official receipts or written directives.
The aggrieved workers, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, described the exercise as an extortion racket disguised as a routine verification process, alleging that the funds being collected could amount to about ₦35million if all affected workers are made to pay.
According to the workers, licence verification has traditionally been conducted by the Ogun State Ministry of Health without any financial burden on health personnel, with the last exercise reportedly held in 2024 at no cost.
However, they said the current exercise marks a sharp departure from previous practice, alleging that every Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) and Community Health Officer (CHO) has been directed to pay ₦3500 in cash before participating in the verification.
