Visionary female founders are reshaping healthcare delivery, insurance, and access in Nigeria.
By Oluchi Umegboro, Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria’s health sector continues to face critical challenges, from low public financing to high maternal and child mortality. Yet, a new generation of female leaders is driving transformative solutions—from integrated care delivery to health insurance and community outreach. Among them, Dr. Awele V. Elumelu stands out for her innovative approach to combining healthcare access with financial protection.
Persistent Health System Challenges
Public health spending in Nigeria remains far below global benchmarks. The 2024 federal budget allocated only N1.34 trillion to health, about 4.6% of total spending—well short of the 15% target set under the Abuja Declaration. Many states under‑execute their health budgets, and out-of-pocket payments continue to account for roughly 58% of total health expenditures, exposing households to financial hardship.
Health outcomes reflect these gaps: under-five mortality exceeds 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, maternal mortality remains high, and access to quality obstetric and neonatal care is limited.
Women Leading Health Innovation
Despite these challenges, women founders are spearheading solutions across Nigeria. They are introducing supply chain innovations, primary care platforms, diagnostics, and community-driven services to expand access to care.
Dr. Awele Elumelu: Integrating Care and Coverage
Dr. Elumelu, a physician trained at the University of Benin, began her career at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the U.K.’s Grantham and District Hospital. Today, she chairs Avon Healthcare Limited, a leading health insurance provider, and Avon Medical Practice, a network of clinics and medical centres.
Her approach integrates insurance coverage with direct care delivery, positioning her firms as both payer and provider in Nigeria’s evolving health ecosystem. She also serves as Private Sector Champion for Immunisation in Africa with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Yale Institute for Global Health, contributing to policy at both continental and global levels.
Within the Heirs Holdings ecosystem, Dr. Elumelu chairs Heirs Insurance Brokers, and sits on the investment company’s board, aligning commercial growth with social impact. She is also a co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a leading African entrepreneurship and philanthropic platform.
Highlighting female leadership in healthcare underscores the critical role of innovation and private sector engagement in addressing systemic challenges. Leaders like Dr. Elumelu are expanding access, improving outcomes, and creating models that combine financial sustainability with social impact.
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