AKURE, Ondo State — The Ondo State Government has drawn both praise and criticism after unveiling a tricycle ambulance as part of its effort to improve emergency healthcare services, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
The donation took place recently at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital Complex, where the modified three-wheeled vehicle was presented under the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to support the state’s Emergency Medical Services.
The initiative, however, came under public scrutiny months later, prompting the state government to issue a formal defence on February 22, 2026.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Signage and Advertisement, Yomi Oyekan, the initiative is meant to complement conventional ambulances. He explained that the tricycle unit is not intended to replace standard ambulances, but instead to serve areas where traditional ambulances may have difficulty accessing due to poor roads or challenging terrain.
“It is quite interesting to see some critics suddenly develop selective outrage over the recent distribution of modified tricycle ambulances,” Oyekan wrote in a post shared on Facebook on February 22, referring to online reactions that questioned the usefulness and symbolism of the vehicle.
He emphasised that many communities in Ondo State especially those in rural, interior and riverine locations lack wide, motorable roads where standard ambulances can respond quickly to emergencies. The tricycle ambulance, he said, is designed to navigate those environments more efficiently and improve access to urgent care.
“Governance requires practical solutions tailored to real terrain and real people,” Oyekan added. He urged critics to understand the broader intent of the programme, which he described as a strategy to save lives and enhance medical outreach, rather than a purely political or cosmetic gesture.
Supporters of the tricycle ambulance initiative argue that innovative and locally appropriate emergency transport can make a real difference for residents living far from larger health facilities. They note that in remote settlements, waiting for a conventional ambulance to arrive can cost precious time in critical situations.
The tricycle ambulance was introduced as part of a wider commitment by the state government to strengthen emergency response systems and ensure that residents, regardless of where they live, have better access to healthcare when they need it most.
While the debate around the programme continues on social media, officials have reiterated that the modified vehicle is one of several tools being deployed to improve medical care outcomes, particularly for communities that remain underserved by existing health infrastructure.
Community leaders and health advocates are watching closely to see how the tricycle ambulances perform in the field and whether they lead to measurable improvements in emergency response time and patient survival especially in areas where conventional emergency vehicles struggle to operate.
