First Lady Tinubu Bags Diaspora Health Award, Calls for Sustained Support for Nigeria's Healthcare System

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for sustained diaspora support for Nigeria's healthcare system, urging Nigerian healthcare professionals living abroad to continue channelling their expertise, knowledge and mentorship into strengthening the country's health sector, particularly in training the next generation of medical professionals.

The First Lady made the call over the weekend in Abuja while being honoured with the Diaspora Health and Humanity Champion Award, one of several accolades presented at the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Awards. Mrs Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who read her remarks on her behalf.

In her address, the First Lady stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains firmly committed to building a resilient and efficient healthcare system, describing quality healthcare as fundamental to the country's broader development goals. She expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for the recognition, describing the award as a call to deepen collaboration in advancing quality healthcare for all Nigerians rather than simply a personal honour.

As part of her remarks, Mrs Tinubu announced that 70 medical professionals under the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) are set to return to Nigeria to undertake medical missions, specialist training, and capacity-building programmes across the country. She described the initiative as a reflection of the continued commitment and patriotism shown by Nigerians living abroad toward improving healthcare delivery back home, framing the programme as a tangible demonstration of the diaspora's willingness to give back beyond financial remittances alone.

Speaking earlier at the event, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Nigerians living abroad for their remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions across a wide range of sectors. She noted that the impact of the diaspora community continues to be felt across Nigeria through investments, knowledge transfer, humanitarian interventions and professional excellence, positioning the diaspora as an increasingly vital partner in the country's development agenda.

The awards ceremony, the fourth in a series organised by NiDCOM, was held under the theme "Harnessing Global Diaspora Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development." The event brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and development partners from both Nigeria and the diaspora to explore practical ways of strengthening the country's healthcare delivery system, reflecting a growing emphasis within government circles on leveraging diaspora expertise to address gaps in Nigeria's health infrastructure and workforce.

Beyond the First Lady, several other prominent Nigerians were honoured during the ceremony in recognition of their contributions across various fields. Chief Chike Nweke received an award in the Entertainment, Arts and Tourism category, while Dr Douglas Emeka Okor was recognised in the Medicine and Healthcare category. Professor Fatima Kyari received the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative Award, and Professor Hakeem Ibikunle Tijjani was honoured in the Education category. Chief Joseph Onah received the Philanthropy Award, while Haruna Kuje Anzaku was among those honoured with the Distinguished Service Award.

The National Diaspora Merit Awards are designed to celebrate outstanding Nigerians whose contributions, both at home and abroad, continue to drive national development and enhance the country's global image. The awards have, over successive editions, sought to formally recognise the growing role Nigerians in the diaspora play across sectors ranging from healthcare and education to philanthropy and the arts.

The healthcare-focused theme of this year's ceremony comes amid ongoing efforts by the federal government to address longstanding challenges within Nigeria's health sector, including workforce shortages driven in part by the emigration of skilled medical professionals — a trend often referred to as the "japa syndrome" in local discourse. Initiatives such as the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative are increasingly being positioned as one avenue for reversing some of that outward flow of expertise, even if only temporarily, by encouraging diaspora professionals to return periodically for missions, training and mentorship rather than requiring permanent relocation.

As the ceremony concluded, organisers reiterated NiDCOM's broader commitment to strengthening ties between Nigeria and its diaspora community, with healthcare identified as one of several priority sectors where diaspora expertise could be mobilised to support national development in the years ahead.