Nigerians have been assured of the federal government’s commitment to a more resilient and accessible healthcare system through ongoing reforms in the sector.
Speaking at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) 2026, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said that the reforms in strategic investments, partnerships and policies in the health sector of the economy is aimed at building a strong system that would guarantee quality healthcare delivery across the country.
The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award has for decades, served as a credible platform for the recognition of individuals and corporate organisations whose innovation, leadership and commitment to quality have advanced healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
The 12th edition which had the theme, ‘Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital transformation in Healthcare’ held recently in Lagos, witnessed the recognition of leading private sector stakeholders, organisations as well as outstanding achievements across the healthcare subsector of the nation’s economy.
The event which was attended by healthcare leaders, policymakers, regulators, development partners, healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders, also recognised distinguished individuals whose life-long contributions have shaped healthcare delivery, education, financing and medical innovation in Nigeria.
Dr. Salako, who was the Special Guest of Honour on the occasion, commended the award recipients and nominees for their outstanding contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Describing the nominees and winners as “ambassadors of excellence whose dedication continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s health sector”, Salako encouraged the organisers to sustain the awards, noting that recognising excellence remains an important catalyst for improved quality, innovation and accountability in healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, congratulated all nominees, noting that being shortlisted from more than 120 nominations was itself a remarkable achievement.
He described the awards as a celebration of resilience, innovation, leadership and service by individuals and organisations working tirelessly to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
Dr. Omolola also reaffirmed NHEA’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, merit-based process founded on public nominations, voting, independent verification, extensive research and rigorous assessment by an independent Jury and Advisory Board
Major highlights of the event were the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards to three distinguished healthcare icons, namely, Dr. Ladi Awosika, for his pioneering contributions to healthcare financing and health system development, Sir Ike Onyechi, for his exceptional leadership in pharmacy practice and healthcare entrepreneurship and Emeritus Professor, Samuel Chukwunonyerem Ohaegbulam, for his outstanding contributions to neurosurgery, medical education and specialist healthcare.
Renowned Urologist and Robotic surgeon, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme was honoured with Special Recognition Awards (Diaspora Excellence Award) for pioneering leadership in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, while Professor Mildred Edet John was honoured for her exceptional contributions to nursing leadership, education and professional development.
A total of 31 winners emerged the various categories such as healthcare delivery, pharmaceuticals, laboratory medicine, biomedical technology, health insurance, media, innovation and healthcare administration following a rigorous process which involved public nominations, public voting, independent verification, auditing, industry research and evaluation by the NHEA Independent Jury and Advisory Board.
Also among the winners were FCMB (Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year), Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) (State Government Health Insurance of the Year), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year), Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals (Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year), Leadway Health Limited (Health Maintenance Organisation of the Year), Gabbi Health (Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year), Fidson Healthcare Plc (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company of the Year), and Codix Pharma Limited (Technology-Driven Pharmaceutical Distributor of the Year), among others.
