At the 2026 Healthcare Federation of Nigeria Annual Conference, the Federal Government highlighted that collaboration and innovation are indispensable to improving healthcare access and outcomes across the country.
The Lagos conference, themed “Transforming Healthcare: Leveraging Private Sector Innovation to Achieve Quality Outcomes and Universal Health Coverage”, featured the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, represented by Dr. Saheed Ogunme of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, who emphasized that strong partnerships and innovation are critical to transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Nigeria’s population, now over 220 million, places increasing pressure on healthcare. Maternal and child mortality remain major concerns, with the country accounting for nearly one in five maternal deaths globally”, he said.
He added that out-of-pocket spending still exceeds 70% of healthcare costs, pushing millions into poverty, making health reform urgent.
Between 2026 and 2030, the government plans to improve healthcare quality, strengthen emergency medical systems, expand insurance coverage, and deepen public-private partnerships. Ogunme also highlighted efforts to boost local pharmaceutical production through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, aiming to reduce reliance on imported medicines by 2030.
In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the state is positioning itself as a healthcare hub for Nigeria and West Africa.
He noted growing interest from Nigerian health professionals abroad but emphasized the ongoing shortage of healthcare workers, with about 7,000 doctors serving a population that requires an estimated 30,000.
In addition, HFN President, Njide Ndili, stressed that the private sector remains committed to supporting government initiatives through research-driven investments. The federation recently collaborated with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group on a nationwide survey to identify priority areas for private sector investment in healthcare.
Nephrologist and entrepreneur, Dr. Richardson Ajayi, highlighted that weak regulation of health facilities undermines patient trust and discourages private investment. He recommended leveraging digital infrastructure and AI-supported compliance platforms to improve standards, accountability, and transparency across the sector.
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