Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award celebrates innovation, resilience and top achievers across health sectors, spotlighting public trust and impact in Nigerian healthcare

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award returned for its 11th edition on Friday, June 27, 2025, spotlighting Nigeria’s most outstanding individuals and institutions in healthcare.

Held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, the prestigious event recognised innovation, dedication, and impact in both public and private healthcare delivery.

Among high-profile attendees were the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dr Dikko Umaru Radda. Governor Radda received a Special Recognition Award for his transformative initiatives.

The Lagos State Governor was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Health.

Awardees across various categories included Sterling Bank Plc, which clinched Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year.

Katsina and Lagos State health insurance agencies shared honours for State Government Health Insurance of the Year.

Other winners were University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year and Duchess International Hospital for its outstanding role as a Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility.

R-Jolad Hospital was named Private Secondary Healthcare Facility of the Year, while Ikorodu General Hospital received recognition for Public Secondary Healthcare. Leadway Health Limited won Health Maintenance Organisation of the Year.

EHA Clinics emerged as Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year, while The Bridge Clinic was recognised for excellence in IVF services. Zenith Medical & Kidney Centre, Abuja, received Dialysis Service Provider of the Year.

Specialist care providers such as Eye Foundation Hospital and Smile360 Dental Specialists were honoured for their service in eye and dental care, respectively.

Oncology Centre of the Year went to Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre. Codix Pharma Limited was recognised as the Technology-Driven Pharmaceutical Distributor of the Year.

Tonight, we witnessed proof that our health sector is rich with talent, innovation, and resilience.

Pharmanews Ltd. and Nigeria Health Watch won in the print and electronic Healthcare Media Excellence categories.

In diagnostics and lab services, supported by PharmAccess Foundation and DCL Laboratory Products Ltd., awards were given in four distinct categories.

Orile Agege General Hospital won the PharmAccess SafeCare Award for Most Active Public Facility, while South Shore Women and Children’s Hospital earned recognition for Highest SafeCare Quality Score.

For the DCL categories, Cerba Lancet Nigeria received the award for Laboratory Innovation and Quality Improvement. MLS Samuel Aigbogun of NNPC Medicals was honoured as Laboratory Professional of the Year.

Dr Salako praised the honourees in his address, saying, “Tonight, we witnessed proof that our health sector is rich with talent, innovation, and resilience. These winners are the foundation of a stronger health system.”

Dr Anthony Omolola, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, stated, “We are not just handing out awards—we are reinforcing a culture of quality, competitiveness, and commitment to saving lives.”

A jubilant Dr Otueguonor Ogumor of R-Jolad Hospital said, “This recognition validates the effort our team puts in daily. It pushes us to reach for higher standards in care and service delivery.”

The 2025 edition was themed “Collaborating for Impact: Strengthening Health Systems through the SWAp Approach.”

It drew over 25,000 public nominations and thousands of votes, demonstrating the growing public engagement and trust in the process.

Also read: SafeCare award nominations unveiled for NHEA 2025 as PharmAccess, NHEA mark 10-year partnership

The event concluded with calls for stronger collaboration between sectors and continued commitment from policymakers, industry leaders, and sponsors to sustain excellence in Nigerian healthcare.