Ogun State to Host 2026 Africa Women in Medicine Leadership Summit
Global attention will turn to Ogun State later this month as healthcare leaders from across Africa and beyond gather for the 2026 Global Africa Women in Medicine Summit, known as GAWIM 2026. This significant event follows the successful debut edition hosted in Lagos last year and signals growing momentum around women-led leadership in healthcare across the continent.
Summit Details and Objectives
Scheduled for March 21, 2026, the summit will be held at Park Inn by Radisson Abeokuta and is expected to attract doctors, policymakers, hospital executives, and academics. Organizers have designed the gathering to deepen conversations around leadership sustainability for women in medicine, particularly as professionals transition from clinical roles into executive and board-level positions.
The summit will focus on equipping African female doctors with leadership skills to transition from clinical practice to executive and boardroom roles. Key policymakers and medical experts will share insights on breaking structural barriers and strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.
Organizers and Vision
The summit is convened by Dr. Olajumoke Ladapo, founder of the Excellence in Medicine Ladies Network and the GAWIM Summit. She described the platform as a space created to prepare African women doctors for greater influence within healthcare systems worldwide.
"We are redefining what leadership in medicine looks like—together," Dr. Ladapo said. "Our goal is to equip the next generation of female doctors with the tools, mentorship, and global networks necessary to transform healthcare systems globally."
Organizers noted that GAWIM 2026 is structured to move beyond discussion, with sessions that connect clinical expertise to strategic decision making in administration, academia, and corporate governance.
Featured Speakers and Program
The program features a strong lineup of speakers drawn from public health leadership and hospital management. They include Dr. Tomi Coker as chief keynote speaker and Dr. OluToyin Akande-Ajala as chairperson of the day.
Other key voices billed for the summit are:
- Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase
- Dr. Olayinka Elemide
- Dr. Moyosore Taiwo Makinde
- Dr. Olusegun Adebisi
- Dr. Oge Ilegbune
- Dr. Francisca Inofomoh
Panel discussions and networking sessions will focus on dismantling structural barriers that limit women's advancement in healthcare leadership. A special tribute segment will also recognize African women whose work has driven notable progress in healthcare delivery and public health innovation.
Background Context
This event comes at a time when Nigeria is making significant strides in education and healthcare development. Recently, the federal government and Ogun state government concluded the transfer of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, to federal ownership, formalizing the process with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding during the institution's 17th convocation ceremony.
The agreement officially changed the status of the institution to Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, placing it within the federal university system. This development underscores the growing importance of educational and professional development initiatives in the region.
The GAWIM 2026 summit represents a crucial step forward in addressing gender disparities in medical leadership across Africa, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and strategic networking that could reshape healthcare systems for years to come.
