The head of the Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Prof. Oyewole Oyerinde, has lamented the poor state of Nigeria’s public health system, saying millions of Nigerians lack access to basic necessities, including clean water, decent housing and nearby healthcare facilities.

Prof Oyerinde made this known on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the maiden induction ceremony of 17 Public Health graduates of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, into the African Institute of Public Health Professionals.

Speaking on the theme, “The Next Wave of Public Health: Empowering Communities, Driving Innovation, Shaping Health Future,” the don said Nigeria’s health challenges extend beyond hospitals, drugs and disease treatment, stressing that environmental health and primary healthcare systems remain critical to improving the population’s well-being.

He lamented the inadequate provision of essential social amenities and the barriers preventing many communities from accessing quality healthcare.

“We do not have clean water; there is no adequate housing; the problem is on and on…

“When you study health economics or health policy, you must remember that you are not just studying numbers. Behind every percentage is a family that is suffering; behind every health system indicator is someone’s experience,” he said.

The professor explained that while clinicians treated illnesses, public health professionals investigated their underlying causes and developed preventive measures.

“A clinician may treat a child suffering from diarrhoeal diseases, but a public health professional investigates the reason for that diarrhea, whether there is availability of safe drinking water, proper sanitation, good hygiene practices and safe environmental conditions,” he said.

He added that many communities continued to face significant barriers to healthcare delivery, including inequality, inadequate staffing, shortages of essential supplies, financial constraints and long distances to health facilities.

The DON said Nigeria was still far from meeting global standards for healthcare accessibility, noting that health facilities should ideally be located within three to five kilometers of where people live.

He described primary healthcare as the foundation of an accessible, equitable and continuous healthcare system, urging relevant stakeholders to address the challenges undermining its effectiveness.

Oyerinde also charged the newly inducted graduates to contribute meaningfully to improving Nigeria’s health system through research, epidemiology, fieldwork and community engagement.

He urged them to ensure their research findings translated into practical solutions rather than remaining on library shelves, while warning against the falsification of data and encouraging them to uphold integrity in their professional practice.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, congratulated the inductees and urged them to recognise the responsibility that came with being the first set of graduates to be inducted into the African Institute of Public Health Professionals through the university.

Arulogun said the graduates had a duty to lay a solid foundation for subsequent cohorts and demonstrate the value of their training through professional excellence and meaningful contributions to society.

She explained that the theme of the ceremony called on the graduates to move beyond conventional approaches to public health by embracing evidence-based decision-making, innovation and community participation.

The vice-chancellor urged the graduates to see communities as partners in public health interventions, adding that their work should influence policies, improve health outcomes and promote transparency.

She also encouraged them to make a global impact while remaining committed to Nigeria. The VC thanked the parents for supporting the graduates throughout their academic journey and commended the lecturers for providing them with a solid foundation during their four years of study.

Also speaking, the Registrar of the African Institute of Public Health Professionals, Dr.  Bankole Ayodele, said the induction marked the beginning of a professional journey for the graduates beyond their academic qualifications.

Dr Ayodele explained that membership of the institute would provide opportunities for professional networking, continuous professional development, specialised training, participation in public health conferences and involvement in advocacy, research and community development.

He added that the institute would offer mentorship and opportunities for collaboration with public health practitioners across Africa, while eligible members could access approved training programmes, including online certificate courses, subject to the institute’s requirements.

The registrar urged the inductees to uphold professionalism, integrity, compassion and excellence in their practice.

“Remember that public health is not merely a career. It is a commitment to protecting lives, preventing diseases and improving the well-being of our communities,” he said.

He commended the management of Chrisland University for partnering with the institute to advance public health education and professional development.

The ceremony marked the maiden induction of 17 graduates of the university’s Department of Public Health into the African Institute of Public Health Professionals.