(Medical experts. Photo Credit: Leadership News)
Medical experts and policy stakeholders are set to examine the growing challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system, including a shortage of health workers, rising epidemic threats and persistent maternal deaths.
The concerns will form the focus of the maiden Biannual Presidential Colloquium of the Academy of Medical Sciences, scheduled for July 30, 2026, in Lagos.
The colloquium, themed “Nigeria’s Health at a Crossroad: Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks, and Maternal Mortality,” is expected to provide recommendations on addressing critical gaps affecting healthcare delivery in the country.
This was contained in a statement by the Academy Secretary, Mayowa Owolabi, on Wednesday.
Owolabi said the meeting would bring together medical professionals, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s health sector challenges, adding that the event would be delivered by the Academy’s President, Emeritus Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, a Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The statement noted that discussions would centre on vulnerabilities within the country’s healthcare architecture, particularly the declining availability of skilled health workers, preparedness for disease outbreaks and the burden of maternal mortality.
According to Giwa-Osagie, the colloquium, themed around confronting workforce shortages, epidemic risks and maternal mortality, will be delivered by him as President of the Academy.
He said the event, structured to address critical vulnerabilities within the national healthcare architecture, will hold on Thursday, July 30, 2026, by 10 a.m. prompt, with guests expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m., at The Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with challenges in healthcare delivery, including the migration of medical professionals, inadequate manpower and poor access to quality healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
The Academy of Medical Sciences said the outcome of the discussion would contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare policies and improve health outcomes across the country.
He added that to provide multidisciplinary perspectives and strategic policy recommendations, the Academy has assembled a distinguished panel of experts, including Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Ikeja; Professor Obinna Onwujekwe, Professor of Health Economics and Policy, and Pharmacoeconomics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Distinguished Professor Akin Osibogun, Professor of Community Health and Primary Care, CMUL/LUTH; and Dr Jide Idris, Public Health Expert and Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
He said the event would deliberate on sustainable solutions for the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The academy, formerly known as the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, was incorporated in June 2019 as an independent body providing expert advice on medical matters, education, research and public health.
It remains Nigeria’s apex body in the academic and scientific field of medicine and is a member of the InterAcademy Partnership, a global network of scientific academies.