By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Country Director of PharmAccess, Njide Ndili, has emerged as Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, HFN, succeeding Dr Pamela Ajayi.

Following a closely contested election during the Annual General Meeting , AGM, on February 27, 2025, Ndili was elected as a new leadership team also emerged to steer the organization’s activities for the next two years.

Ndili served as Vice President for two tenures before emerging HFN’s president, and will work alongside Chairman, Echolab Radiology and Laboratory Services, Dr Benson Ayodele Cole, as First Vice President; Deputy Managing Director of the Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr Jennifer Anyanti, as Second Vice President; Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu, Mrs Chinyere Okorocha, as Public Relations Secretary; CEO of OneClick-Med, Mr Reagan Rowland, as Treasurer; and Healthcare System Partner-Policy at Roche Products Ltd, Mr Babarinde Oloyede, as Financial Secretary.

Meanwhile, the new leadership was unveiled at the HFN Annual Conference 2025, which also marked the organization’s 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of private-sector leadership in advancing healthcare in Nigeria.

Mrs Ndili’s appointment as President marks a new chapter in the federation’s ongoing commitment to tackling Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, fostering innovation, and enhancing access to quality healthcare services across the country with the support of private sector.

As a key figure in HFN’s evolution since its inception, she has played an instrumental role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction.

Through PharmAccess, she has supported HFN in various initiatives, including its participation in the Access to Finance (A2F) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at the primary healthcare (PHC) level, the signing of an MoU to license SafeCare to interested HFN members, as well as providing financial support, technical assistance, and integrating HFN into key local and international strategic engagements.

These efforts have significantly expanded HFN’s reach and impact.Speaking on her vision for the next two years, Mrs Ndili reaffirmed her commitment to consolidating ongoing initiatives while introducing new strategies to further HFN’s mission. She emphasized the importance of strengthening HFN’s sustainability as a national federation championing private-sector inclusion in healthcare reforms.

Meanwhile, the conference had in attendance key dignitaries, international experts, and influential healthcare leaders to chart a new course for Nigeria’s healthcare sector; National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC); Dr Abdu Mukhtar; the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi; Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani; Former Lead of the Health in Africa Initiative at the World Bank, Prof Khama Rogo; Assistant Director-General at the WHO and Acting Regional Director of the WHO African Region, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, amongst many industry leaders.

She said: “As I assume the presidency over the next two years, I commit to building on the work started by past presidents. This includes continuing HFN’s representation on high-level national and subnational government committees, seeking partnerships with agencies like the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), connecting with our diaspora community to leverage their expertise, and following through on engagements with Customs and the Ministry of Finance to implement the President’s Executive Order on zero tariffs, to name a few.

“In addition, new initiatives will be launched, including working with relevant stakeholders to advocate for improved access to primary care services through collaboration with the private sector at the PHC level.

“We will also leverage digital and mobile technology to track PHC performance and care outcomes, creating transparency, improving efficiency, filling HR gaps, and promoting value-based care for the health system. Capacity development for the health workforce will be a key priority.

“Additionally, we aim to foster innovations that will support our quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”

She also emphasized the importance of collaborating with various Healthcare Association leads to ensure aligned objectives and a unified approach, in creating an enabling environment for the private sector to support the government’s healthcare goals.

Her presidency comes at a crucial time, as leading experts continue to emphasize the importance of public-private collaboration in healthcare.

Speaking at the conference, Former Lead of the Health in Africa Initiative at the World Bank, Prof Khama Rogo, asserted that, “Africa will never achieve its healthcare goals unless the public and private sectors work together. Neither can succeed in isolation.

“Healthcare governance, finance, and service delivery must involve both sectors. Public health systems alone cannot manage the burden, and private entities need to be integrated into national health frameworks.”

Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, PVAC, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, highlighted the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s local healthcare industry.

“Currently, about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s medicines, vaccines, and other healthcare products are imported. Our goal is to reverse this trend by boosting local manufacturing. Through policy support, infrastructure development, and financial mobilization—including $1 billion from Afreximbank and €1 billion from the European Investment Bank—we are creating an ecosystem that will enable businesses to thrive.

“By increasing local production, reducing medical tourism, and generating high-skilled jobs, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and self-sufficient healthcare system.”

The conference also featured panel discussions and presentations on key topics such as healthcare financing, the role of technology in healthcare, and regulatory reforms necessary for enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Industry leaders and experts from across the globe shared insights on best practices and strategies for advancing healthcare, while also engaging in meaningful dialogue on how to address the systemic challenges faced by the sector.