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Dr (Mrs) Abisola Sodipo-Clark is a seasoned medical practitioner and former Ogun State health commissioner. She is an expert in Preventive Medicine and health policy formulation and implementation. In addition to her entrepreneurial activities in the health sector, she has served as chairman of health management boards. A grassroots politician, she is currently the Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Nigerian Women Association for Tinubu/Shettima 2027.
Interestingly, she is a princess of Egba Kingdom in Abeokuta, Ogun State and wife of the late Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
In an interview with Sunday Sun, she looks back at her career of public service and shares her thoughts on various national issues.
Where have you been since you left office as health commissioner? Also paint a picture of your professional trajectory.
I left office as the Commissioner for Health in Ogun State over 20 years ago. I have been doing what I did before I became the Commissioner. I had put in 15 years in clinical services and from there I went into Preventive Health. The first specialization of preventive health is called Population Medicine, which is a mixture of epidemiology and demography. The course was targeted at doctors, who were handpicked and positioned for management in health. So, I got a World Health Organization (WHO) Fellowship to study the course. When I finished, I worked in England as a researcher, focusing on how one can create access to health from the grassroots. Also, I did research on how to source funding from international organizations. I worked for the London Inner Council, a London hospital. Then I returned to Nigeria to work with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). I took interest in policy issues, working on health demographics, first in the southwest states and later in the southeast states, using the result as yardstick to measure the impact of the aid being given to Nigeria at a time. Through these efforts, Nigeria was able to get a lot of aid. Thereafter, I was appointed as commissioner for health. Even before that I had a health consultancy called ‘Lifestyle Medical Health Consultancy, which I have been doing all these years.
In all these, I have always been interested in grassroots politics. I contested as a candidate for the Senate twice. I have also maintained my entrepreneurial activities in social medicine and running a wellness hospital. As an entrepreneur, I have engaged in shipping. I have played leadership roles and tried to create change at the grassroots.
Looking back, which of your post-qualification achievements warm your heart, when you recall them?
Essentially, I think essentially, I succeeded most of the time. I was able to bring in policies that brought in money into the places where I worked. I have worked as Chairman, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) hospital, Kaduna. Again, as chairman of the Board of Management of the hospital, we were able to increase the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the hospital. Initially, when I resumed office, it was absolutely nothing, but by the time I left, we were able to increase the revenue of the hospital by establishing a diagnostic centre and increased the revenue of the hospital. We also helped in securing opportunities for training of doctors and bringing equipment into the hospital.
Currently, I am working in a consulting capacity with the Board of Management of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH). We have been able to bring it up to the standard of a good hospital. In fact the hospital was moribund when Governor Dapo Abiodun took office seven years ago, but now, it has become one of the best teaching hospitals in the country.
The tempo of politics is rising and you appear to be silent. What are your thoughts regarding the 2027 General Elections?
No, I have not been silent. I was recently appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Women Association for Tinubu/Shettima 2027. We are organizing women across all 36 states and local government areas to support the administration and advocate for women’s participation in politics. We have members and coordinators in every state and will soon have our inauguration and launching. We have a list of patrons and matrons which will be available in a short while.
What role do you currently play in Ogun State politics?
I remain actively involved in political activities and advocacy. At this stage, we are focused on promoting what we consider good leadership and supporting Senator Adeola Olamilekan (Yayi) as a potential future governor of Ogun State.
A large segment of Nigerians believe that President Tinubu’s administration failed to deliver on his two promises: economy and security. What is your view on this?
I believe the worst is over. I do not think anybody has been exempted because suffering can also be relative. People have gone through a rough economic period, especially with the removal of oil subsidies which had to be done because the country was already bankrupt at that point in time and for other reasons listed by the president himself. The economic hardship resulting from subsidy removal has been difficult, but it was necessary because of the country’s financial situation. Economic restructuring often brings hardship initially. However, efforts are being made to alleviate poverty, improve education, and empower women, especially at the grassroots level. Several studies have shown that where a woman has both economic and intellectual strength, the family does better and thereby the country does better by it.
As a wife and mother, what is your assessment of the Federal and state governments’ handling of the abduction of the teachers and school children from Oriire LGA, Oyo State who are still in captivity?
To tell the truth, my heart goes out to the poor children and their teachers; the mothers, families and all of us. This is something that is so tragic for all because nobody knows who will be the next victim. But I believe that in very recent times, the ability to retrieve 400-Nigerian children from Bornu, coupled with the very recent pronouncement of the president, I believe that the change has started. I have been praying that this change will turn into thanksgiving, when the children and teachers are reunited with their families. It is so important to empathize when people are going through challenges. One must find a way to remove desperation. I know we have religious institutions, but this area has got into an area of professionalism. There are professional ways, counseling and protocols which should be looked at.
From social media platforms, Nigerians are evidently not happy that the presidency is busy with the 2027 campaign instead of true governance. The people are saying that the First Lady has not demonstrated empathy – given her recent political engagements. What do you think about this?
I think the entire nation needs what is called “Grief counseling and crisis management” in this kind of situation. As someone who has gone through a very harrowing time myself, we actually need grief counsellors, from the bottom to the top of the pyramid. People are also confused as to how to handle situations like this. How does one sympathize in such a situation? There are different cultural norms; for instance, one would have read what happened in Britain the other day when a student was killed and the Prime Minister reached out to the family; so, there should be that kind of reaching out here as well.
From my listening to the news and reading the papers, I was informed that a delegation was sent to reach out to them. But I think we need crisis management counseling on how these things will work out, how to reach out and empathise which have to be done with cultural context.
Nigerians are more interested in constitutional reform than who wins the 2027 presidential election. What is your position?
To tell the truth, as a Nigerian and the wife of late Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, I can never be against the constitutional reforms. I believe reforms are necessary. However, whether they should be prioritized before or after the 2027 elections is a matter for broader national discussion. It is a building block, whether we like it or not, we will get to that part of the building someday.
Many people expected you to focus solely on medicine. Why did you become involved in politics?
I realized that improving healthcare access often requires leadership and policymaking. To make meaningful changes, one must have a seat at the decision-making table. Politics provides an opportunity to influence policies that affect people’s lives, especially at the grassroots level.
Is poor remuneration the main reason Nigerian health workers leave the country?
No. While salary is important, the work environment also plays a major role. Healthcare workers want professional satisfaction, adequate facilities, and supportive working conditions. Addressing these issues can help reduce migration which is popularly known as ‘Japa syndrome’.
How was growing up? Why did you choose to study Medicine and Surgery?
We grew up in a very comfortable home blessed with love, integrity, unity and sound education. My educational background and family influenced me greatly. I attended Queen’s College, where professional careers were highly encouraged. My father was a medical doctor, and my mother was a professional nurse trained in England. She was also the former Chairman of the Nursing Council of Nigeria. Growing up in a healthcare environment naturally inspired me to pursue medicine as a course.
What is your overall philosophy on leadership?
Leadership is about making a difference. Wherever a person has the opportunity to lead, they also have the opportunity to create positive change. That belief has guided my work in healthcare, politics, and community service throughout my career.
