Dangote, Ovia laud Akinbolagbe’s emergence as PSHAN CEO

The Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) has appointed Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe as its Chief Executive Officer. In her new role, she will lead the PSHAN team to actively engage private sector players to take bold, positive steps to achieve universal health coverage in Nigeria.

A qualified public health physician, Dr. Akinbolagbe brings several years of emerging markets experience to her new role, most recently serving as the CEO at Synlab Nigeria Ltd (formerly Pathcare), an international medical diagnostic provider. She also brings extensive experience in the health insurance sector & serves on the Boards of private sector companies.

Speaking on Akinbolagbe’s appointment, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, founder of PSHAN and Board member, said, “The PSHAN Board welcomes our new CEO. Her entrepreneurial skills, extensive networks and deep understanding of the health space will significantly enhance our capacity to deliver the PSHAN mission.”

Congratulating the new CEO, Jim Ovia, Co-Chairman of PSHAN, noted that, “Akinbolagbe understands PSHAN’s pivotal role within Nigeria’s health sector ecosystem and what is required to drive effective collaboration and partnership between stakeholders. She is a great addition to the PSHAN team.”

As a not-for-profit, business-led organisation founded to improve the healthcare system by providing accessible, affordable, and first-rate healthcare solutions to Nigerians, PSHAN has been at the forefront of collaboration with the domestic and international development community to address inequities in access to healthcare services. This includes partnerships with The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In collaboration with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, PSHAN has proactively developed the innovative Adopt-a-Healthcare-Facility Program (ADHFP) aimed at mobilising smart capital to address inequities at the primary healthcare level. Akinbolagbe will drive this initiative in collaboration with leaders across the private and public sectors.

While expressing delight at joining the PSHAN team, Akinbolagbe noted that COVID-19 had affected all aspects of life and beamed a spotlight on the nation’s fragile healthcare system. Going forward, she said PSHAN would transform the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria by innovatively pooling private sector capacity to intervene directly. “This would be a definite game-changer in our healthcare system. It has been a rewarding experience and I appreciate the support I received from the Board and the management team,” she said.

Akinbolagbe takes the reins from outgoing interim CEO, Sonny Nwarisi, who was seconded to PSHAN by Pricewaterhouse Coopers in 2019.