EKSU CHANCELLOR, OLOWOLAFE CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN NIGERIA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
“Nigeria has the talent and capacity to build world-class institutions. And nowhere is that more important today than in healthcare.“
Chairman of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, stated this while speaking at the annual Convocation Ceremony of New Specialists and Doctors of Medicine at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), Lagos.
The educationist and healthcare promoter stressed the need for the Nigerian government and stakeholders in the health sector, to maximise the country’s impressive pool of highly skilled professionals to revitalise the country’s healthcare system and improve access to quality medical services.
Olowolafe, advised the newly qualified medical specialists and doctors to deploy their expertise towards building healthcare institutions of global standard in Nigeria.
While lamenting the heavy spending by Nigerians on medical tourism, he noted that the trend has continued to strengthen the economies and healthcare systems of other countries.
In his words, “Every year, Nigerians spend enormous sums travelling abroad for medical treatment. Our ambition should be to reverse that trend: first, by building a healthcare system that Nigerians do not need to leave home to access, and ultimately, by making Nigeria a destination for patients from across Africa.”
Olowolafe who is the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, said tangible investments must be channelled into healthcare infrastructure and human resources in order to achieve the aspiration of moving Nigeria’s health sector to the front row globally.
He urged the graduands to identify and fill existing gaps in the nation’s health sector while contributing to the transformation and revitalisation of the healthcare system.
Olowolafe was also conferred with the College’s most prestigious award, the Honorary Fellowship (FNMC), at the ceremony.
He expressed appreciation to the NPMCN for the honour, assuring the institution that he would continue to contribute meaningfully, within his capacity, to the advancement of medical practice and education in Nigeria.
The Tunji Olowolafe Foundation has continued to contribute to the revitalisation of hospitals while supporting medical education and specialist training.
In July 2026, the Foundation, in partnership with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the Faculty of Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), commissioned West Africa’s first EyeSi surgical simulator and inaugurated the Gbemisola Olowolafe Centre for Ophthalmic Simulation at the Guinness Eye Centre, Idi-Araba.
