01/08/2026
NIGERIA MUST RETAIN HEALTH WORKERS, STRENGTHEN EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS, END MATERNAL DEATHS — SANWO-OLU
..Says resilient health system requires stronger partnerships, evidence-based reforms
..Academy inaugurates Presidential Colloquium to drive national health policy dialogue
Nigeria must urgently reverse the loss of skilled health professionals, strengthen epidemic preparedness and accelerate efforts to reduce maternal mortality if the country is to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, declared on Thursday. The Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Biennial Presidential Colloquium of the Academy of Medical Sciences held at the Old Great Hall of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, "Nigeria's Health at a Crossroad: Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks and Maternal Mortality," Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria had reached a defining moment that demanded bold reforms rather than conventional responses to longstanding health challenges. He stressed that the nation must rethink how it trains, retains and motivates healthcare professionals while strengthening systems capable of preventing and responding to future public health emergencies.
"The real question before us is this: Can we build a health system with the people, institutions, knowledge and resilience needed to protect the health of our nation, whatever challenges may lie ahead?" the Governor said. According to him, the choice before the country is between continuing with familiar approaches or embracing innovative solutions that guarantee a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
He described healthcare workforce retention as one of Nigeria's greatest priorities, noting that although the country continues to produce highly skilled doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other professionals, many are leaving in search of better opportunities abroad. Sanwo-Olu maintained that government must create an environment where healthcare professionals can build rewarding careers through improved working conditions, competitive remuneration, continuous professional development, research opportunities and modern health facilities.
The Governor also identified epidemic preparedness as a national security issue, insisting that lessons from recent global health emergencies have shown that disease outbreaks cannot be managed through reactive measures alone. He called for sustained investments in disease surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency response capacity, reliable health data and strong public health institutions capable of protecting Nigerians from emerging infectious diseases.
On maternal mortality, Sanwo-Olu described every preventable maternal death as a tragic failure of the health system, urging governments at all levels to strengthen antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency referrals, blood availability and specialist obstetric services. He said every Nigerian woman deserves a safe pregnancy and childbirth while every child deserves a healthy start to life.
Highlighting Lagos State's ongoing health sector reforms under the THEMES Plus Agenda, the Governor disclosed that the state has continued to expand primary healthcare, emergency medical services, maternal and child healthcare, health insurance coverage and workforce capacity. He revealed that Lagos currently has more than 10,000 skilled healthcare workers and over 2,500 healthcare facilities, while the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) achieved a 97.5 per cent emergency response rate between 2021 and 2025, supported by the establishment of ten additional ambulance points across the state.
Sanwo-Olu, however, emphasised that government alone cannot overcome Nigeria's healthcare challenges. He called for stronger collaboration among governments, academia, professional bodies, development partners and the private sector, urging the Academy of Medical Sciences to translate research findings into practical policy recommendations capable of driving measurable reforms. "We need more than conversations about our challenges. We need clear priorities, measurable interventions, accountable institutions and sustained follow-through," he stated.
Earlier, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Emeritus Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, said the newly established Biennial Presidential Colloquium was designed to ensure the Academy remains relevant and impactful in shaping national healthcare policy. He explained that beyond promoting scientific excellence, the Academy would continue to provide independent, evidence-based advice to government while fostering multidisciplinary collaboration to address Nigeria's most pressing health challenges.
Giwa-Osagie lamented the increasing migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals, describing workforce shortages as one of the country's biggest threats to quality healthcare delivery. While acknowledging that Nigerian professionals continue to distinguish themselves globally, he warned that the exodus has left significant gaps within the nation's health system. He added that epidemic preparedness and maternal mortality remain critical concerns requiring coordinated national responses backed by science, research and effective public policy.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, underscored the need for continuous investment in epidemic preparedness, noting that governance, surveillance systems, biosecurity, emergency response mechanisms and institutional capacity remain central to national health security. Drawing lessons from previous outbreaks, including Ebola and COVID-19, Idris stressed that preparedness must become a permanent feature of Nigeria's healthcare architecture rather than an emergency response activated only during disease outbreaks.
The maiden Biennial Presidential Colloquium attracted leading figures from Nigeria's health sector, including President-elect of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku; founder and Chief Medical Director of Eko Hospitals Ltd., Olor'ogun Dr. Sonny Kuku; Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo; Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Ademola Oremosu; Secretary of the Academy, Prof. Mayowa Owolabi; Assistant Secretary, Prof. Adejuwon Adeneye; Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo; Distinguished Professor Akin Osibogun; Professor Obinna Onwujekwe; members of the Academy's Board of Trustees and Council, medical professionals, academics, development partners and members of the media.
The Lagos State Government Babajide Sanwo-Olu Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria Nigeria Health Watch International Society of Media in Public Health World Health Organization Nigeria
