Nigerian Women Rise in Health Sector

While women form the backbone of Nigeria’s frontline health workforce, their voices have long been quiet in the boardrooms where major decisions are made.

This week, a group of twenty-nine mid-career women leaders completed a rigorous, year-long journey designed to change that narrative.

The 2025 Nigeria Leadership Journey, a collaborative effort between WomenLift Health and the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), culminated in a “Lift-Off” event in Abuja, signaling a new era of inclusive leadership aimed at tackling the nation’s most pressing health crises.

For twelve months, these leaders moved beyond their daily clinical and administrative roles to engage in intensive mentorship, coaching, and leadership projects.

The goal was simple but profound: to equip women with the confidence and the professional networks necessary to influence policy and drive systemic change.

This shift is particularly urgent in Nigeria, a country that accounts for nearly 20 percent of global maternal deaths—a statistic that many believe can only be reversed when those who understand the realities of maternal care are the ones making the rules.

Professor Muhammad Pate, the Minister of Health, underscored this sentiment in a speech delivered by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom.

He noted that Nigeria’s health potential is inextricably linked to representative leadership. “When women lead, maternal mortality becomes more than a statistic; it becomes a mission,” he stated, adding that under female leadership, primary healthcare transforms from mere infrastructure into a dignified lifeline for the community.

The Minister’s message was clear: the mission to save lives is more effective when women are at the helm.

Amie Batson, President of WomenLift Health, pointed out that this initiative addresses a global imbalance where women deliver the care but men hold the power.

By supporting these twenty-nine women to step fully into their influence, the partnership is building a pipeline of leaders ready to reshape the future of health across Africa.

Abosede George-Ogan, the Executive Director of WILAN, added that the programme is about amplifying the impact of those already working within the system.

As these graduates return to their various roles, they do so not just as healthcare professionals, but as connected advocates ready to drive change where it matters most.