Health sector leaders and advocates have issued a powerful call for greater gender equity within Nigeria's healthcare leadership, declaring it a non-negotiable pillar for improving service delivery, strengthening systems, and ensuring inclusive decision-making.
A Fellowship to Bridge the Leadership Gap
The urgent appeal was made during the graduation ceremony and gala of the inaugural EmpowerHer Health Fellowship, organized by Women in Global Health Nigeria. In her welcome address, the organization's Co-founder and Chapter Lead, Dr. Peju Adeniran, explained the fellowship's core mission: to tackle the persistent exclusion of women's voices from leadership positions.
"This fellowship responds to the status quo where not enough women have their voices in the room," Dr. Adeniran stated. She emphasized that excluding women means failing to utilize at least half of the available talent pool, thereby missing out on their unique perspectives and vital contributions. The initiative specifically supports women already contributing to the health sector but who may need more clarity or confidence to amplify their impact for systemic change.
Resilience, Vision, and Vocal Advocacy
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Amina Dorayi, Senior Country Director of Pathfinder International Nigeria, charged the graduating fellows to be resilient, visionary, and vocal. She underscored that women's leadership is not optional but essential to the strength, resilience, and future of Nigeria's health sector.
Dr. Dorayi provided a crucial clarification, cautioning that resilience should not be mistaken for silent endurance. "True resilience is not about enduring injustice quietly," she said. "It is about holding your ground when it would be easier to step back, refusing to compromise your values, and returning stronger and more prepared."
Addressing a Global Disparity
Bukola Shaba, Project Officer at Women in Global Health Nigeria, highlighted the stark global disparity the fellowship aims to address. Women deliver about 70% of healthcare services worldwide, yet they remain severely underrepresented in leadership roles. The EmpowerHer Health Fellowship was created to cultivate a new generation of visible, confident, and well-equipped women leaders in global health.
Shaba pointed out that gender inequity also stifles career progression for community health workers, who are predominantly women but often lack clear pathways to advancement. "Policy change does not happen overnight, but consistent advocacy and collaboration can shift the narrative. When women are empowered and equipped, health systems become stronger and more equitable," she affirmed. She added that while the formal training has concluded, mentorship for the fellows will continue into the first quarter of 2026.
Fellows Amplify Impact Across Sectors
The fellowship's impact was evident in the testimonies of the graduates. One fellow, Dr. Bolanle Akanbi, a veterinarian and One Health advocate, said the program expanded her capacity to drive change beyond her primary profession. Her focus on women's health allowed her to collaborate with medical professionals, microbiologists, and journalists to improve women's welfare, mental health, and reproductive health.
"I work with women who rear animals, educating them on how infectious diseases spread and how proper animal care can improve their well-being, income and mental health," Dr. Akanbi shared.
Another fellow, journalist Bilkis Lawal, said the program strengthened her advocacy for maternal and child health, particularly through using indigenous languages to reach underserved communities. She committed to using her platforms to amplify women's voices and promote gender equity in health.
The one-year funded fellowship admitted 24 women for its first cohort. The comprehensive program featured four major training streams: advocacy, research, leadership and personal branding, alongside strategic use of social media for influence. The fellows, drawn from research, academia, health advocacy, and senior professional backgrounds, benefited from targeted mentorship and confidence-building initiatives designed to break gender barriers in healthcare leadership.
