By Abigail Ikhaghu

Twenty-nine women leaders across Nigeria’s health sector have completed a year-long leadership development programme aimed at strengthening their influence and improving health outcomes in the country.

The 2025 Nigeria Leadership Journey, delivered through a partnership between WomenLift Health and Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), ended with a two-day Lift-Off event in Abuja, bringing together stakeholders from government, development organisations and the wider health ecosystem.

The programme targeted mid-career women already working within the health system, equipping them with skills to deepen their leadership capacity, strengthen their voice and expand their professional networks to contribute more effectively to decision-making.
Although women make up a large share of Nigeria’s health workforce, especially in frontline roles, leadership positions remain largely dominated by men.

This imbalance is seen as critical in a country that accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global maternal deaths, highlighting the need for more inclusive leadership to improve maternal and broader health outcomes.

At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, who was represented by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, said Nigeria’s health system cannot reach its full potential without inclusive leadership.

Pate said, “Nigeria’s health system cannot reach its full potential without inclusive and representative leadership. When women lead, maternal mortality becomes more than a statistics, It becomes a mission.

“When women lead, primary healthcare is not just infrastructure, it becomes a lifeline. And when women lead, communities do not just receive services, they receive dignity.”
Over the 12 months, participants took part in in-person residencies, virtual learning sessions, coaching, mentorship and leadership projects designed to strengthen their leadership identity and build confidence to influence decisions.
The programme also enabled them to develop initiatives and form strong peer networks across the sector.
President of WomenLift Health, Amie Batson, said the initiative reflects a broader global pattern where women play key roles in healthcare delivery but remain underrepresented in leadership.
Batson explained, “Across countries, we see the same pattern: women are central to healthcare delivery but underrepresented in leadership. This partnership reflects a shared conviction that the future of health in Nigeria and across Africa will be shaped by women leaders who are supported to step fully into their influence.”
Founder and Executive Director of WILAN, Abosede George-Ogan, added that the programme is focused on amplifying the contributions of women already working within the system.
“This is not just about developing leaders, it is about amplifying the impact of women who are already shaping the system. We are building a pipeline of confident, connected leaders who are ready to influence decisions and drive change where it matters most,” she said.
Following the success of the 2025 cohort, both organisations plan to expand the Leadership Journey in 2026 with a focus on midwifery leadership, recognising the role of frontline health workers in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.