Ajao Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Advance Health Equity, as Stakeholders Adopt Joint Commitments at 2025 Health Equity Conference
Maryam Aminu
The Chief Executive Officer of OneBarrow International Ltd, Dr. Yemi Ajao, has urged a renewed spirit of partnership among government agencies, health regulators, and private sector players to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality and affordable healthcare.
He made the appeal during the 2025 Health Equity Conference held in Abuja, with the theme “From Access to Impact: Advancing the National Agenda for Equitable Healthcare.”
Dr. Ajao explained that the conference was convened to promote collaboration across sectors in addressing long-standing gaps in the nation’s healthcare system.
According to him, equitable healthcare delivery can only be achieved when universal health coverage is backed by sound implementation, adequate funding, and strong regulation.
“Care delivery in Nigeria remains uneven. Many people in rural communities lack access to essential services, while even in urban areas, some cannot afford the care they deserve,” he lamented.
He warned against the growing reliance on self-diagnosis and unregulated medical outlets, describing them as a major threat to public health.
“You see a pharmacy, a clinic, or a lab how do you know they are licensed to offer those services? Many Nigerians are at the mercy of an unregulated system,” he cautioned.
Dr. Ajao further stressed the need for health awareness, calling on Nigerians to understand their rights and the policies that protect them.
“We want Nigerians to understand the risks, limitations, and resources required to ensure safe and accessible healthcare,” he added.
In his remarks, the Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr. Donald Ofili, emphasized the importance of partnership and shared accountability among stakeholders.
“Equity in healthcare is crucial. All regulatory agencies must continue to speak with one voice on fairness, partnership, and collaboration in delivering quality health services,” he said.
The conference, co-hosted by the 13 Health Regulatory Councils of Nigeria in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the private sector, and the OneBarrow International Ltd / iDoctorAccess CareLink Secretariat, served as a platform to evaluate policy progress and strengthen stakeholder coordination.
In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the conference, representatives of the regulatory councils affirmed their commitment to advancing equitable healthcare through a unified approach. They resolved to strengthen professional training and licensing standards, enhance the regulation of primary care providers and laboratories, and promote the integration of technology and digital health innovations to improve diagnostics and service delivery.
The communiqué also highlighted the importance of improving health records and environmental health systems, recognizing sanitation and preventive care as vital components of national well-being.
The private sector participants, while commending these policy directions, stressed the need for clearer regulatory guidance, stronger public–private partnerships, and improved alignment between regulation and affordability to ensure sustainable healthcare financing. They also underscored the role of digital integration and interoperability in driving efficiency and transparency across the system.
Both regulators and private sector representatives agreed to establish an annual feedback platform where councils can share policy updates and receive input from industry stakeholders. They further pledged to develop a shared monitoring framework to track equity indicators such as workforce distribution, service quality, and patient access and to publish a joint communiqué after each conference to ensure accountability and progress tracking.
Dr. Ajao described the 2025 Health Equity Conference as a demonstration of “collective leadership and commitment” to advancing health equity in Nigeria.
He added that preparations would soon begin for a multi-day 2026 Health Equity Co-Design Conference, which aims to deepen collaboration and align sector-wide reforms.
The conference concluded with a shared resolve among participants to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system from one of limited access to one of measurable impact anchored on fairness, partnership, and innovation.
