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A powerful new movement is emerging within Nigeria’s healthcare system—one defined not by competition or fragmentation, but by unity, shared purpose, and a renewed commitment to equity.

This transformation took center stage at the 2025 Health Equity Conference, held in Abuja, where government representatives, private sector players, and community stakeholders converged to address one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: ensuring that healthcare is not only accessible but also equitable and impactful.

At the forefront of this national dialogue was Dr. Yemi Ajao, Chief Executive Officer of OneBarrow International Ltd, whose call for collaboration across sectors resonated deeply throughout the event.

“Care delivery in Nigeria remains uneven. Many people in rural communities lack access to essential services, while even in urban areas, some cannot afford the care they deserve,” Dr. Ajao said, speaking with clarity and conviction.

The conference, themed “From Access to Impact: Advancing the National Agenda for Equitable Healthcare,” served as both a wake-up call and a blueprint for reform. Delegates examined the structural and systemic factors that perpetuate inequality in healthcare—ranging from poor regulation and uneven resource distribution to gaps in digital health adoption and preventive care.

Dr. Ajao highlighted the dangers of unchecked medical practices and weak oversight, warning that many Nigerians continue to rely on unregulated service providers.

“You see a pharmacy, a clinic, or a lab—how do you know they are licensed to offer those services? Many Nigerians are at the mercy of an unregulated system,” he cautioned, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement and public awareness.

The conference produced a joint communiqué endorsed by the 13 Health Regulatory Councils of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and several private sector partners. The document reaffirmed a shared national commitment to advancing equity by strengthening professional standards and oversight; expanding access to diagnostics and essential services; integrating digital health systems; and prioritizing preventive and environmental health initiatives.

Dr. Donald Ofili, Acting Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), reinforced the collective nature of this vision.

“Equity in healthcare is not a slogan—it’s a shared responsibility. We must speak with one voice to achieve it,” he declared.

The conference concluded with a forward-looking agenda, as Dr. Ajao announced the 2026 Health Equity Co-Design Conference, aimed at building on current outcomes and introducing frameworks for innovation, collaboration, and measurable accountability across all levels of Nigeria’s health system.

“This movement is not just about systems; it’s about people,” Dr. Ajao affirmed in his closing remarks. “We want Nigerians to understand the risks, limitations, and resources required to ensure safe and accessible healthcare.”

With this collective resolve, Nigeria’s health leaders are charting a new course—one that promises not just access, but impact; not just services, but sustainability. If sustained, the spirit of collaboration that defined the 2025 Health Equity Conference could mark the beginning of a more just, accountable, and people-centered healthcare system for all Nigerians.

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