Sanwo-Olu, Salako to headline 2026 NHEA awards ceremony in Lagos
By Chioma Obinna
Nigeria’s foremost healthcare recognition platform, the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards, NHEA, on Monday unveiled recipients of its 2026 Lifetime Achievement and Special Recognition Awards billed to hold this week in Lagos.
The annual awards ceremony is expected to gather top healthcare leaders, policymakers, regulators, investors, development partners and professionals across the sector to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in healthcare delivery.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, will attend as Special Guest of Honour, while Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is billed as Chief Host.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards will honour three distinguished healthcare icons whose contributions have shaped healthcare delivery, specialist training, financing and system development in Nigeria.
Those to be honoured include Emeritus Professor Samuel Chukwunonyerem Ohaegbulam, renowned for pioneering neurosurgery and specialist medical training in Africa; Sir Ike Onyechi, celebrated for over four decades of contributions to pharmacy practice and healthcare entrepreneurship; and Dr. Ladi Awosika, recognised for his trailblazing role in healthcare financing and private sector healthcare development.
In the Special Recognition category, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme will receive the Diaspora Award for his pioneering work in robotic and minimally invasive surgery across Nigeria, West Africa and the United Kingdom, while Professor Mildred Edet John will be honoured for excellence in nursing leadership, education and professional development.
Speaking ahead of the event, Project Director of NHEA, Dr. Wale Alabi, described the awards as a celebration of resilience, innovation and excellence in Nigeria’s health sector.
According to him, “For over a decade, NHEA has remained committed to celebrating institutions and professionals transforming healthcare delivery in Nigeria. This year’s recipients represent the very best in leadership, innovation and service to better health outcomes.”
Also speaking, Director of Marketing, Communication and Strategy at NHEA, Moses Braimah, said the platform has grown into one of Africa’s most credible healthcare recognition systems.
“NHEA is more than an award ceremony; it is a movement spotlighting excellence and inspiring higher standards across the healthcare industry. The integrity of our process continues to strengthen stakeholder confidence,”he said.
Braimah added that the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most memorable in the history of the awards, citing the calibre of nominees, dignitaries and healthcare stakeholders expected at the event.
Organisers disclosed that the awards process followed months of nominations, public voting, independent verification, auditing and jury review, with over 120 nominees competing across hospitals, health insurance organisations, pharmaceutical firms, diagnostic centres and health technology providers.
About 26 winners are expected to emerge at the ceremony. Now in its 12th year, the NHEA remains a benchmark platform for recognising excellence and innovation across Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.
The 2026 edition is themed: “Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation,” underscoring the growing role of technology, local capacity and innovation in strengthening Nigeria’s health system.