Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reiterated Federal Government ‘s pledge to building a stronger, more resilient and accessible healthcare system.
The Minister stated this while speaking at the Nigerian Health Excellence Awards (NHEA) 2026 in Lagos, where outstanding institutions, professionals and innovators driving excellence across Nigerian healthcare value chain were honoured.
He cheered all the award winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery in Nigeria, describing them as critical partners in the nation’s journey towards building a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
The minister also commended the organisers of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards for sustaining a credible platform that recognises and rewards excellence in the healthcare sector, noting that such recognition encourages healthy competition, innovation and continuous quality improvement.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Anthony Omolola, described the awards as more than a ceremony, but a celebration of the remarkable institutions and individuals whose dedication continues to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system despite prevailing challenges.
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Omolola noted that the awards have, for over a decade, promoted transparency, accountability and excellence through a rigorous evaluation process involving public nominations, voting, independent verification, industry research and assessments by an independent Jury and Advisory Board.
This year’s edition, themed ‘Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation,’ recognised excellence across healthcare delivery, pharmaceuticals, biomedical technology, health insurance, diagnostics, media, and public health, with winners emerging after months of public nominations, voting, independent verification, auditing, industry performance assessments and extensive research.
Among the highlights of the evening were the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to Ladi Awosika, Ike Onyechi, and Samuel Chukwunonyerem Ohaegbulam, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to healthcare development, medical practice, pharmacy, healthcare financing and leadership in Nigeria.
The event also honoured Kingsley Ekwueme with the Diaspora Excellence Award for pioneering leadership in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, while Mildred Edet John received the Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership, Education and Professional Development.
The event also saw outstanding organisations recognised across more than thirty competitive categories. Notable winners included FCMB as Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) as State Government Health Insurance Agency of the Year, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital as Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year, Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals as Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year, Leadway Health Limited as Health Maintenance Organisation of the Year, Gabbi Health as Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year, Fidson Healthcare Plc as Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company of the Year, and Codix Pharma Limited as Technology-Driven Pharmaceutical Distributor of the Year, among other deserving winners.
Special recognition was also accorded to outstanding achievements in laboratory medicine and biomedical technology, including the DCL-NHEA Laboratory Innovation and Quality Improvement Award presented to Mecure Healthcare Limited, while Vitus Nnaemeka of Echolab Services Ltd. emerged as DCL-NHEA Laboratory Professional of the Year.
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