Fidson Healthcare turns to female industry heavyweights to guide expansion strategy

Fidson Healthcare Plc has appointed two female industry powerhouses, public health leader Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni and marketing veteran Hannah Emanehi Oyebanjo, as independent non-executive directors, as a strategic bid to deepen corporate governance and accelerate the company’s long-term expansion drive.

The appointments, announced after a recent board meeting, take immediate effect pending shareholder approval at the next Annual General Meeting. The Lagos-based pharmaceutical giant said the additions reflect its commitment to strengthening board diversity while tapping specialised expertise in healthcare systems, policy, market growth, and organisational leadership.

Dr. Mohammed-Baloni, a physician and seasoned public health governance expert with more than 25 years’ experience, brings a formidable track record of sector reform and innovation. As commissioner for Health in Kaduna State, she led wide-ranging initiatives that repositioned the state as a leader in healthcare delivery. Her tenure oversaw major reforms, including the Zipline drone partnership for medical distribution, the pharmaceutical manufacturing agreement with PMG-MAN, and one of the country’s most coordinated COVID-19 pandemic responses.

She currently chairs the board of the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital and serves on the boards of SCIDaR and the African Resource Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management. An alumna of Harvard Kennedy School, INSEAD and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Mohammed-Baloni is widely regarded for her system-strengthening approach to maternal, child and community health.

Joining her on the Fidson board is Mrs. Oyebanjo, a respected business strategist known for shaping high-growth brands and leading transformative marketing campaigns across multinational firms. With more than three decades of experience, she has held senior positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Colgate Palmolive, where she spearheaded category-defining product launches and award-winning brand strategies.

Oyebanjo, managing director of Redwood Consulting, is also a member of the faculty at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). Her recent accolades include the 2025 Nigerian Marketing Award’s Marketing Icon Award and the WIMCA Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a Fellow of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors.

Fidson said both appointments will strengthen its governance framework and help steer its ambition to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, drive innovation and consolidate its leadership in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. “Their wealth of experience and strategic insight are invaluable as we advance our mission,” the company said.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to advancing healthcare in Africa through stronger board leadership and sustained investment in its people and operations.

Royal Ibeh

Royal Ibeh is a senior journalist with years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s technology and health sectors. She currently covers the Technology and Health beats for BusinessDay newspaper, where she writes in-depth stories on digital innovation, telecom infrastructure, healthcare systems, and public health policies.