Oyo Health Commissioner Lauds EU’s SUSI Initiative, Unveils Climate-Smart Social Protection Strategy
The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and climate-resilient social protection systems with the launch of the European Union-supported Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection System Initiative (SUSI) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the formal inauguration, held in Ibadan and presided over by the Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, hailed the initiative as a “watershed moment” for sustainable development and health equity.
In her goodwill message, Dr. Ajetunmobi emphasized the transformative nature of the SUSI Initiative, describing it as more than just a program, but a strategic shift towards equity, resilience, and systemic reform.
She noted that the initiative aligns with Oyo State’s vision of embedding long-term resilience into development planning—particularly for the most vulnerable segments of the population.
“The SUSI Initiative represents a transformative shift towards equity, sustainability, and systems strengthening,” she said. “It ensures that development investments go beyond short-term relief to create long-term structures that uplift the most vulnerable and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Commissioner drew a strong link between health and social protection, noting that effective social safety nets help prevent catastrophic health expenditures and protect marginalized groups. She further warned of the increasing threats posed by climate change, disease outbreaks, and non-communicable diseases, stressing that social protection is now both “a shield and an enabler of resilience.”
In a major policy announcement, Dr. Ajetunmobi unveiled the State’s newly developed Seasonal Risk Calendar and Risk Matrix, a pioneering tool created by the Ministry of Health to anticipate the health consequences of seasonal climate hazards. The tool is designed to forecast risks such as malaria surges during the rainy season, cholera outbreaks after floods, and heat-related illnesses in dry months.
“This innovative calendar allows us to map hazards against disease risks, pre-position medicines and supplies, and align social protection measures such as insurance waivers, nutritional support, and emergency relief to periods of heightened vulnerability,” she explained. “It transforms our approach from reactive to anticipatory.”
She added that integrating this tool with the SUSI framework makes Oyo State’s social protection system not only inclusive, but also “climate-smart and forward-looking.”
Dr. Ajetunmobi also highlighted ongoing efforts under the *Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme (OYSHIA)*, which includes a wide range of coverage options such as civil servant schemes, community-based insurance, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (“Irorun Wa”), and special programs for vulnerable populations. These include public school pupils, street sweepers, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease, widows, and other marginalized groups.
“Through our insurance schemes, primary health care revitalization, and the Seasonal Risk Calendar, we are laying a strong foundation for a population that is both socially protected and climate-resilient,” she said.
Dr. Ajetunmobi expressed deep appreciation to the European Union and its partners for their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s social infrastructure. She reaffirmed the state’s readiness to offer full technical and policy support for the SUSI Initiative’s implementation.
“Together, we can ensure that social protection is not a privilege for the few, but a guaranteed right for all—anchored in dignity, equity, and resilience against the dual threats of poverty and climate change,” she concluded.
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