The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria has appointed Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess, as its new President, succeeding Dr. Pamela Ajayi.
Ndili, who previously served as Vice President for two tenures, emerged victorious in a closely contested election during the Annual General Meeting on February 27, 2025.
According to a statement, joining her in leadership are Dr. Benson Cole as First Vice President, Dr. Jennifer Anyanti as Second Vice President, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha as Public Relations Secretary, Mr. Reagan Rowland as Treasurer, and Mr. Babarinde Olayode as Financial Secretary.
Their appointment was announced at HFN’s Annual Conference 2025, which also marked the federation’s 10th anniversary.
The event gathered top government officials, international health experts, and private-sector leaders to discuss the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
In her inaugural speech, Ndili reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening private-sector inclusion in healthcare reforms.
Ndili pledged to expand HFN’s role in policy discussions, enhance partnerships, and drive innovation to improve healthcare access and quality.
“As I assume this role, I commit to building on the work of my predecessors. HFN will continue advocating policy reforms, collaborating with government agencies, and driving initiatives that foster local healthcare investment,” she said.
Ndili emphasised key priorities, including leveraging digital technology to enhance primary healthcare services, advocating for zero tariffs on medical imports, and supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign products.
The conference featured prominent speakers like Prof. Khama Rogo, former lead of the Health in Africa Initiative at the World Bank, who stressed the importance of public-private collaboration.
“Neither the public nor private sector can achieve healthcare transformation alone. Their integration is crucial for sustainability,” he stated.
Also, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, also highlighted ongoing efforts to boost local pharmaceutical production.
“With strong policy support and financial mobilisation, we are working to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medical products and create a self-sufficient healthcare system,” he noted.
As Ndili assumes leadership, her tenure is expected to shape Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, positioning the private sector as a key driver of sustainable healthcare solutions.
