The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a prominent advocate for private sector engagement in the Nigerian healthcare system, ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Njide Ndili as its President. Ndili, the Country Director of PharmAccess, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare in Africa, assumed the mantle of leadership from Dr. Pamela Ajayi during the federation’s 10th-anniversary celebration and Annual General Meeting held on February 27, 2025. Her ascension, marked by a closely contested election, signifies not only a changing of the guard but also a renewed focus on strengthening the private sector’s role in shaping the future of Nigerian healthcare. Ndili’s extensive experience and commitment to healthcare innovation position her as a key figure in driving transformative change within the sector. Alongside Ndili, a new cohort of leaders was elected to steer the HFN forward, including Dr. Benson Cole as First Vice President, Dr. Jennifer Anyanti as Second Vice President, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha as Public Relations Secretary, Mr. Reagan Rowland as Treasurer, and Mr. Babarinde Olayode as Financial Secretary. This new leadership team embodies a diverse range of expertise and perspectives, poised to tackle the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
The HFN’s Annual Conference 2025 served as the backdrop for this momentous leadership transition. The conference, a significant event in the Nigerian healthcare calendar, brought together a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including high-ranking government officials, internationally recognized health experts, and influential private sector leaders. This convergence of expertise underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Nigerian healthcare system. The conference provided a platform for insightful discussions and strategic planning, setting the stage for a renewed push towards achieving universal health coverage and improving the overall quality of care in Nigeria. The event’s theme, centered around the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system, highlighted the urgency and importance of innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to drive sustainable progress.
Ndili’s inaugural address resonated with a powerful message of commitment and collaboration. She articulated her vision for a more robust and integrated private sector participation in healthcare reforms, emphasizing the importance of working alongside government agencies and other stakeholders. Pledging to build upon the foundation laid by her predecessors, Ndili outlined her key priorities, which include amplifying HFN’s role in policy discussions, forging stronger partnerships, and fostering innovation to enhance both access to and the quality of healthcare services. Her emphasis on leveraging digital technology to bolster primary healthcare services, advocating for the elimination of tariffs on essential medical imports, and promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing signifies a strategic approach towards achieving sustainable healthcare solutions.
Central to Ndili’s vision is the strategic utilization of digital technology to transform primary healthcare services. Recognizing the potential of technology to bridge geographical gaps and improve access to quality care, particularly in underserved communities, Ndili aims to leverage digital tools to enhance service delivery, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen the overall primary healthcare system. This focus on digital innovation aligns with the growing global trend of utilizing technology to address healthcare challenges and improve efficiency. Furthermore, her advocacy for zero tariffs on medical imports aims to reduce the financial burden on healthcare providers and patients, making essential medical supplies more accessible and affordable. This, coupled with her support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, reflects a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
The HFN Annual Conference featured prominent speakers who provided valuable insights and perspectives on the future of healthcare in Nigeria. Professor Khama Rogo, the former lead of the Health in Africa Initiative at the World Bank, underscored the critical importance of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable healthcare transformation. He emphasized that neither the public nor private sector can single-handedly address the complex challenges facing the healthcare system, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to ensure long-term success. This perspective underscores the HFN’s core mission of fostering collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders. Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), echoed this sentiment, highlighting ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting local pharmaceutical production. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the local pharmaceutical industry through policy reforms and financial mobilization, with the ultimate goal of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported medical products and creating a self-sufficient healthcare system.
As Njide Ndili embarks on her tenure as President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, her leadership is poised to significantly influence the trajectory of Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. Her focus on strengthening private sector involvement, leveraging digital technology, and promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing holds the potential to drive significant progress towards achieving universal health coverage and improving the quality of healthcare services for all Nigerians. Her vision, coupled with the collective expertise of the newly appointed leadership team, promises a dynamic and impactful era for the HFN, marked by strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and a unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare in Nigeria. The challenges are substantial, but with Ndili at the helm, the HFN is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the Nigerian healthcare system and drive meaningful change. Her leadership represents a renewed hope for a more robust and accessible healthcare system, one that effectively addresses the needs of all Nigerians.
