Medical experts and policy stakeholders under the aegis of the Academy of Medical Sciences are set to examine the growing challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system, including shortage of health workers, rising epidemic threats and persistent maternal deaths.

Nigeria’s health sector faces protracted challenges, including tackling disease burdens worsened by chronic underfunding, a severe shortage of medical professionals and inadequate infrastructure, which collectively limit access to affordable healthcare for millions of citizens.

The concerns will form the focus of the maiden Biannual Presidential Colloquium of the Academy of Medical Sciences scheduled for July 30, 2026, in Lagos. The colloquium, themed, “Nigeria’s Health at a Crossroad, Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks, and Maternal Mortality,” is expected to provide recommendations on addressing critical gaps affecting healthcare delivery in the country.

A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Osato Giwa-Osagie, will deliver the keynote address on the conference theme. In a statement, the Academy’s Secretary, Prof Mayowa Owolabi, said the event was designed to address key vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s healthcare system and generate practical policy recommendations.

The statement read, “In advancement of its foundational mission to promote excellence in medical education, healthcare delivery and translational research, the Academy of Medical Sciences will host the academic community, healthcare professionals, policy stakeholders and the general public at its maiden biannual presidential colloquium. This seminal event, which is structured to address critical vulnerabilities within the national healthcare architecture, will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba.”

Other speakers expected at the event include the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo; Professor of Health Economics and Policy and Pharmacoeconomics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obinna Onwujekwe; the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris; and Professor of Community Health and Primary Care, Akin Osibogun.

According to the academy, the assembled experts will provide multidisciplinary perspectives on the country’s healthcare challenges and recommend strategies to strengthen the health system.

The academy, formerly known as the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, was incorporated in June 2019 as an independent body providing expert advice on medical matters, education, research and public health. It is Nigeria’s apex body in the academic and scientific field of medicine and a member of the InterAcademy Partnership, a global network of scientific academies.