FG vows stronger health sector reforms as NHEA honours healthcare icons

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through reforms, strategic investments and stronger partnerships, as the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) honoured 31 outstanding healthcare institutions, professionals and innovators.

The 2026 edition of the awards was held in Lagos and attended by healthcare leaders, policymakers, regulators, development partners, healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders.

Themed ‘Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation,’ the event spotlighted the growing importance of technology, indigenous production and strategic collaboration in transforming healthcare delivery.

The awards ceremony, regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost healthcare recognition platforms, also recognised distinguished individuals whose lifelong contributions have shaped healthcare delivery, education, financing and medical innovation in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour, commended all the award recipients and nominees for their outstanding contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He said the government remains focused on building a stronger, more resilient and accessible healthcare system capable of delivering quality care to Nigerians.

Salako described the award recipients and nominees as ambassadors of excellence whose dedication continues to inspire confidence in the nation’s health sector.

He said recognising excellence remains critical to driving innovation, improving accountability and strengthening resilience across the healthcare system.

“Recognising excellence remains an important catalyst for improving quality, innovation and accountability in healthcare delivery,” Salako said.

He urged the organisers to sustain the initiative, noting that honouring excellence would continue to motivate healthcare professionals and institutions working to improve service delivery.

According to the minister, the Federal Government’s reform agenda in the health sector remains centred on expanding access, improving infrastructure and strengthening local capacity to address persistent healthcare challenges.

Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr Anthony Omolola, said the awards have become a symbol of resilience, innovation and leadership in Nigeria’s health sector.

According to him, being shortlisted from over 120 nominations was itself a significant achievement.

“Being nominated is already a testament to the remarkable work being done by these individuals and organisations to strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” Omolola said.

He said the awards process remains transparent and merit-driven, with winners emerging through public nominations, voting, independent verification, research and rigorous assessment by an independent jury and advisory board.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to three healthcare icons for their decades-long contributions to advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Those honoured include Dr Ladi Awosika for his pioneering work in healthcare financing and health system development; Sir Ike Onyechi for his leadership in pharmacy practice and healthcare entrepreneurship; and Emeritus Professor Samuel Chukwunonyerem Ohaegbulam for his groundbreaking contributions to neurosurgery, specialist healthcare and medical education.

Special Recognition Awards were also presented to Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, who received the Diaspora Excellence Award for his pioneering work in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, and Professor Mildred Edet John for her contributions to nursing leadership, education and professional development.

The NHEA also announced winners across 31 categories covering healthcare delivery, pharmaceuticals, laboratory medicine, biomedical technology, health insurance, healthcare administration and innovation.

Among the winners were FCMB, which clinched Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year; Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA, named State Government Health Insurance of the Year; University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, which won Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year; and Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals, named Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year.

Others include Leadway Health Limited, Gabbi Health, Fidson Healthcare Plc and Codix Pharma Limited for their contributions in health insurance, innovation, pharmaceutical manufacturing and technology-driven drug distribution.

Organisers said the awards have, for over a decade, remained Nigeria’s leading platform for recognising excellence, leadership and innovation across the healthcare value chain.

They added that beyond celebrating achievements, the NHEA continues to raise the bar for quality healthcare delivery at a time Nigeria faces increasing health challenges.

For many stakeholders at the event, the awards were more than a celebration of excellence; they were a reminder of the urgent need to sustain reforms, reward innovation and strengthen the institutions shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.