Educating the Public on Emergency Medical Services in Ogun State
The Executive Council of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) National, led by Aàrẹ Oluwafemi Ajayi (FM Castro), National President, issues this press statement following a fact-finding and engagement meeting with the Federal Ministry of Health in Ogun State and the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSEMSAS).
This engagement became necessary in view of the growing misinformation and public narratives suggesting that Ogun State lacks functional ambulance and emergency medical services. As a responsible student body committed to truth, public education, and life-saving advocacy, NAOSS National deems it important to clearly and accurately inform students, youths, and the general public on the realities of emergency healthcare delivery in Ogun State.
Clear Facts on Ambulance Services in Ogun State
Our findings confirm that Ogun State operates a well-structured and expanding emergency medical response system.
The state currently deploys three categories of ambulances to ensure no community is left behind:
Boat Ambulances for riverine and waterside communities.
Tricycle Ambulances designed for emergencies in areas that are difficult for conventional vehicles to access, especially maternity and inner-community cases.
Bus Ambulances for major road and inter-city emergencies.
Importantly, every Local Government Area in Ogun State has at least one functional ambulance, stationed at the Local Government headquarters and operating 24 hours daily. This represents a major leap from over six years ago, when only six ambulances served four local governments and operated for limited hours.
Strong Collaboration and Skilled Workforce
Ogun State’s emergency response framework, known as RESMAT, is a strategic initiative of the Ogun State Government in collaboration with the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) at the federal level. To further strengthen service delivery, the state recently employed 50 new nurses dedicated to ambulance and emergency care services, ensuring professional medical attention from first response to hospital referral.
Both government and accredited private hospitals actively participate in this system, with the Ogun State Government providing financial coverage for services rendered by private facilities when emergencies are referred to them.
Emergency Call Center and Toll-Free Lifeline
A major highlight of our engagement is the state emergency call center, which is fully integrated with national emergency systems. The center has real-time data on ambulance locations and hospital referral points and can automatically identify callers’ locations for faster response.
In 2025 alone, the call center recorded a 100% success rate in managing and responding to reported emergencies.
The dedicated toll-free emergency line is: 08112000033
(Residents may also dial 112, the national emergency number.)
Free Emergency Care and Wide Referral Network
Emergency victims who access care through the official emergency lines are entitled to free medical treatment within the first 48 hours. This life-saving policy applies across the state’s referral network, which includes:
All General and Primary Health Care facilities
Specialist and Tertiary Hospitals
Federal Medical Centre (FMC)
Babcock University Teaching Hospital
OOUTH, Redeemer’s Hospital, and other accredited private hospitals
Emergency services cover road traffic accidents, medical emergencies, maternity cases, and other critical incidents, with trained personnel providing basic first aid before hospital transfer.
Why Public Awareness Matters
One key challenge identified is low public awareness. Statements such as “there is no ambulance in Ogun State” discourage people from calling for help and can directly lead to avoidable loss of lives. Emergency services save lives only when they are used.
NAOSS National therefore strongly encourages students, youths, and all residents to save and use the emergency number whenever the need arises. Prompt calls mean faster response, better care, and higher chances of survival.
Commendation and Commitment
We commend the Honourable Commissioner for Health, the Permanent Secretary, and the Ogun State Government for their vision, investment, and sustained commitment to emergency healthcare delivery. Ogun State stands today as one of the proactive states in the South-West actively implementing SEMSAS and NEMSAS frameworks.
As an association, NAOSS National commits to partnering with the government and relevant agencies to amplify public education, counter misinformation, and promote responsible use of emergency services.
Lives matter. One call can make the difference.
Save a life today: 08112000033
Signed
AARE Ajayi Oluwafemi Sunday
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF OGUN STATE STUDENTS NATIONAL BODY
