• Nominees must either operate/reside in Nigeria or be effecting positive change in Nigeria.
• Nominations are free and do not attract any fee.
• Gala & Awards Night to hold November 14, 2025

 

Lagos, Nigeria — August 20, 2025

Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) is pleased to announce that nominations are now officially open to the public for the third edition of the PSHAN Annual Gala & Awards Night; a national platform that celebrates excellence, innovation, and transformative impact in Nigeria’s health sector.

This year’s event, themed “Champions for Change: Celebrating Impact,” seeks to recognise individuals, organisations, and initiatives that are advancing healthcare outcomes and catalysing change within communities across the country. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for outstanding champions who are shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

Speaking on the opening of nominations, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, MD/CEO of PSHAN, stated:
“We believe that real change begins with recognising those who are doing the work to make healthcare better, more inclusive, and more sustainable. This awards platform is not only about celebrating achievements; it is about amplifying the stories of resilience, leadership, and innovation that often go unnoticed. We urge the public to participate by nominating the changemakers around them: those whose work speaks louder than accolades, but who truly deserve to be celebrated.”

The award categories for 2025 have been redefined to accommodate a broad spectrum of contributions, from well-established healthcare pioneers to emerging voices and underserved actors in the ecosystem. The 2025 awards will span 25 sub-categories across the 5 key award categories: Government MDAs for impactful public health initiatives; Media & Innovative Health Communications for excellence in health storytelling and digital influence; Indigenous NGOs, Local Healthcare Institutions & Community-Based Organisations for grassroots healthcare delivery; Individuals for outstanding contributions to health advocacy and service; and the Organised Private Sector for leadership and innovation in healthcare partnerships and innovations.

An independent panel of expert judges drawn from academia, public health, strategy consulting, development, media, and the private sector will evaluate all eligible nominations to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based nomination process.

Eligibility requirements for nominees include the following: they must either reside in or have demonstrable impact in Nigeria; individual nominees must be 18 years or older; multiple nominations across various categories are permitted; however, self-nominations are not allowed. Submissions will be assessed based on demonstrable impact, innovation, alignment with health equity goals, and evidence of sustainability.

Notable past awardees include the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), recognised for a consistent leadership in public health governance; Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director General, World Health Organisation, for his outstanding leadership in public health and pandemic preparedness; Dr. Filani Oyebanji, Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti State, for his exceptional contributions in improving health outcomes in Nigeria; Dr. Stella Okoli (OON), Founder & CEO of Emzor, celebrated for her pioneering role in local pharmaceutical development; Dr. Chinonso Egemba (popularly known as Aproko Doctor), for his digital health advocacy and grassroots education; and Healthtracka, founded by Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, for revolutionising access to diagnostics through technology, among others.

Selected awardees will be honoured at the PSHAN Annual Gala & Awards Night, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Civic Centre, Lagos. The highly anticipated gathering will bring together public and private sector leaders, development partners, and frontline health innovators to honour the best of the best in Nigeria’s health sector.

The public is encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organisations by visiting: www.pshan.org/gala

L-R: Head of Corporate Communications, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Clifford Egbomeade; Managing Director, Vcare Diagnostics Ltd, Dr. Wale Olusanya; Director of Policy, PSHAN, Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh; Veteran Nollywood Actor/Producer, Segun Arinze; Veteran Nollywood Actor/Producer, Iretiola Doyle; and Head of Membership and Partnerships, PSHAN, Muyiwa Olowoporoku; at PSHAN’s Cocktails & Conversations event held in Ikoyi, Lagos, recently.

LAGOS, NIGERIA — An evening of insight, connection, and shared commitment marked the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN)’s official “Cocktails & Conversations” mixer held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Herel Play, Ikoyi, Lagos The event brought together corporate executives, healthcare advocates, and development partners to explore how private sector collaboration can help transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.

Themed “Together for Health: Building Healthier Communities Through Collective Action,” the mixer spotlighted PSHAN’s flagship Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Program (ADHFP) and encouraged new partnerships across sectors.

Expanding Corporate Participation

Speaking during the evening, PSHAN’s Head of Membership and Partnerships, Muyiwa Olowoporoku, outlined multiple pathways for organizations to get involved. These include volunteering, primary healthcare facility adoption, donations, and premium membership packages.

He added that the alliance is open not just to corporations, but also to individual professionals and passionate community volunteers who help share healthcare stories from the grassroots.

“We believe partnerships are powerful tools for change,” said Olowoporoku. “This event was about starting conversations that lead to action. We’re excited to see the momentum build.”

Showcasing Strategic Partnerships

Key partners used the event to reaffirm their commitment to healthcare advancement. MTN Foundation, represented by Senior Manager Edward Fagbohun, spoke about the company’s ongoing support for impact-led initiatives.

PiggyVest CEO Somtochukwu Ifezue emphasized the importance of engaging younger Nigerians in advocacy and announced plans to co-develop a new PSHAN digital platform that will boost outreach and accessibility.

Tackling Infrastructure Gaps

Discussions at the mixer also addressed Nigeria’s significant healthcare infrastructure gap. Data presented during the event revealed that fewer than 20 percent of the country’s 30,000 primary health centres are currently functioning effectively. This reality underscores the urgency of PSHAN’s facility adoption model and its call for private sector support.

Veteran actor and producer Ireti Doyle added her voice to the evening’s message, stressing the importance of reaching communities that are often overlooked in national healthcare efforts.

Looking Ahead to the Gala

The event also served as a build-up to PSHAN’s third Annual Gala & Awards Night, scheduled for November 14, 2025. The gala will celebrate individuals and organizations driving transformation across Nigeria’s healthcare system.

PSHAN’s Head of Corporate Communications, Clifford Egbomeade, encouraged guests to take the evening’s conversations back into their organizations and networks.

“The success of this event shows that collective impact is possible. We are just getting started—let’s continue this everywhere we go,” Egbomeade said.