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By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Abuja unveiled its comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan and hosted the 2026 Annual Lecture Series, signaling a renewed push to reposition the association as a leading voice in Nigeria’s health sector reform and professional development.
The twin event, themed “From Strategy to Impact: Repositioning the Nigerian Medical Association as the Catalyst for Health System Transformation,” brought together medical professionals, policymakers, academics, development partners, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the future of healthcare delivery and medical practice in Nigeria.
Organisers described the unveiling of the strategic plan document as a defining milestone in the association’s long-term vision to strengthen institutional capacity, improve the welfare of medical practitioners, and deepen engagement with government and relevant stakeholders in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.
The five-year plan outlines clear policy directions, priority focus areas, and actionable frameworks that will guide the NMA’s interventions in healthcare delivery, workforce development, ethics, advocacy, and medical education.
Chairman of the occasion and Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, in his opening remarks, commended the NMA for taking proactive steps toward institutional strengthening and strategic planning.
He noted that professional bodies like the NMA play a critical role in shaping health policies, improving service delivery standards, and supporting government efforts to reform the healthcare system. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and medical professionals in addressing workforce challenges, improving patient care, and strengthening public trust in the health sector.
Dr. Salako described the strategic plan as timely and aligned with national priorities to reposition Nigeria’s health system for efficiency, equity, and sustainability.
In his welcome address, Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association, said the strategic plan reflects the collective vision of the association to move from rhetoric to measurable impact.
He stated that the NMA remains committed to protecting the welfare of doctors, upholding ethical standards, advancing medical education, and providing strong advocacy on policies that affect healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Prof. Audu noted that the annual lecture series remains one of the association’s flagship intellectual platforms for shaping national conversations on health reforms and professional standards.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana emphasized the need for strategic leadership within professional associations to drive meaningful change in the health sector.
He highlighted the importance of data-driven advocacy, continuous professional development, and stronger collaboration between medical practitioners, policymakers, and development partners to tackle systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Dr. Kana urged the NMA to leverage the strategic plan as a tool for measurable impact, accountability, and sustained engagement in national health discourse.
Organisers noted that over the years, the NMA Annual Lecture Series has served as a platform for robust policy conversations and knowledge exchange aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The 2026 edition continued this tradition by providing stakeholders an opportunity to examine practical pathways for reform and professional advancement.
The event was coordinated by a Local Organising Committee (LOC) chaired by Dr. Benjamin O. Olowojebutu, with Dr. Mannir Bature serving as Secretary, ensuring smooth planning and execution.
Members of the medical profession, health sector stakeholders, and invited guests attended the event from across the country.
A major highlight of the occasion was the formal launch of the NMA Five-Year Strategic Plan document, which participants described as a roadmap for repositioning the association and strengthening its contribution to Nigeria’s healthcare transformation.
