As part of efforts to build a resilient healthcare system in the country, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has advocated for policy harmonisation and collaboration among the federal, state, and local governments.

Gbajabiamila made the call at the 18th Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas (HOT) Memorial Lecture, held yesterday at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL).

Speaking on the topic, ‘Transforming HealthcareTransforming Healthcare: The Role of Political Leadership’, he suggested that the Federal Government could collaborate with state governments through joint funding mechanisms, human resource development, infrastructure support, public health coordination, insurance integration, community engagement, and shared monitoring systems.

He noted that such collaboration must be rooted in trust, transparency, and a shared vision for health equity.He also identified challenges confronting healthcare access in the country, including inadequate funding, corruption and mismanagement, poor health information systems, and policy discontinuity, among others.

As a way forward, he emphasised the need for states to make strategic investments that yield long-term benefits. For instance, he said that upgrading Primary Health Centres to meet the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services could significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes.

In the area of technology, he suggested that state governments could leverage digital tools to enhance service delivery, streamline operations, and expand reach.

On her part, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, observed that without political will, nothing meaningful could be achieved. She added that through President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s policies, the healthcare narrative was undergoing a transformation.

The Chairman of the event and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, was represented by the Provost of CMUL, Prof. Ademola Oremosu.

The Provost said: “As we reflect on our journey over the past 63 years, let us remember that the future of healthcare in Nigeria depends not only on the brilliance of our doctors and dentists, but also on the courage of our leaders to prioritise health in policy, funding, and national vision. Let us also challenge ourselves to be not just healers, but advocates working hand-in-hand with policymakers to shape a healthier and more just society.”

The Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, described Gbajabiamila’s leadership qualities as exemplary and enviable, even during his time as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He added that transformational leaders steer the country in the right direction.