Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) is pleased to announce that nominations are now officially open to the public for the third edition of the PSHAN Annual Gala & Awards Night, a national platform that celebrates excellence, innovation, and transformative impact in Nigeria’s health sector.
This year’s event, themed “Champions for Change: Celebrating Impact,” seeks to recognize individuals, organizations, and initiatives that are advancing healthcare outcomes and catalyzing change within communities across the country. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for outstanding champions who are shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.
Speaking on the opening of nominations, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, MD/CEO of PSHAN, stated: “We believe that real change begins with recognising those who are doing the work to make healthcare better, more inclusive, and more sustainable. This awards platform is not only about celebrating achievements; it is about amplifying the stories of resilience, leadership, and innovation that often go unnoticed. We urge the public to participate by nominating the changemakers around them: those whose work speaks louder than accolades, but who truly deserve to be celebrated.”
The award categories for 2025 have been redefined to accommodate a broad spectrum of contributions, from well-established healthcare pioneers to emerging voices and underserved actors in the ecosystem.
The 2025 awards will span 25 sub-categories across the 5 key award categories: Government MDAs for impactful public health initiatives; Media & Innovative Health Communications for excellence in health storytelling and digital influence; Indigenous NGOs, Local Healthcare Institutions & Community-Based Organisations for grassroots healthcare delivery; Individuals for outstanding contributions to health advocacy and service; and the Organised Private Sector for leadership and innovation in healthcare partnerships and innovations.
An independent panel of expert judges drawn from academia, public health, strategy consulting, development, media, and the private sector will evaluate all eligible nominations to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based nomination process.
Eligibility requirements for nominees include the following: they must either reside in or have demonstrable impact in Nigeria; individual nominees must be 18 years or older; multiple nominations across various categories are permitted; however, self-nominations are not allowed. Submissions will be assessed based on demonstrable impact, innovation, alignment with health equity goals, and evidence of sustainability.
Notable past awardees include the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), recognised for a consistent leadership in public health governance; Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director General, World Health Organisation, for his outstanding leadership in public health and pandemic preparedness; and Dr. Filani Oyebanji, Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti State, for his exceptional contributions in improving health outcomes in Nigeria.
Others are Dr. Stella Okoli (OON), Founder & CEO of Emzor, celebrated for her pioneering role in local pharmaceutical development; Dr. Chinonso Egemba (popularly known as Aproko Doctor), for his digital health advocacy and grassroots education; and Healthtracka, founded by Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, for revolutionising access to diagnostics through technology, among others.
Selected awardees will be honoured at the PSHAN Annual Gala & Awards Night, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Civic Centre, Lagos. The highly anticipated gathering will bring together public and private sector leaders, development partners, and frontline health innovators to honour the best of the best in Nigeria’s health sector.
The public is encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organisations by visiting: www.pshan.org/gala
