The Federal Government has backed the call by the Founder of VickyHeldan Empowerment Foundation, Dr. Victory Njoku, for increased investment in women’s health, empowerment and leadership across Africa.

 

 

 

The endorsement was made at the maiden edition of the Her Health, Her Power Conference Africa 2026, organised by the foundation in Abuja with the theme, “Leading with Wellness for a Sustainable Africa.”

 

 

 

Speaking through the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women’s Development, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said investment in women’s health was critical to achieving Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

 

 

 

“If we are serious about a $1 trillion Nigerian economy, then investing in women’s health is not optional. It is foundational,” the minister said.

 

 

She explained that the Federal Government was strengthening policies and institutional structures aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, family development and protection.

 

 

 

The minister also called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, while commending Njoku for creating a platform capable of generating meaningful commitments to women’s health and empowerment.

 

 

 

She urged participants and stakeholders to move beyond conversations and translate the ideas generated at the conference into measurable action and tangible results.

 

 

 

In his remarks, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said women’s health must be viewed as an integral part of economic development.

 

 

He urged politicians and policymakers to pay greater attention to the welfare of women and improve access to healthcare and education.

 

 

 

“Now, it is key not to separate women’s health from economic growth,” Amaechi said, stressing that people appointed to positions of responsibility should understand the connection between economic growth and the wellbeing of women.

 

 

 

Reflecting on his tenure as Rivers State governor, Amaechi said his administration established health centres in every village, with each centre provided with a medical doctor and two nurses.

 

 

 

 

He stressed that political decisions have a direct impact on women and called on leaders to transform communities by providing hospitals, health centres and other facilities capable of improving the quality of life of women and families.

 

 

 

The convener and founder of the foundation, Dr. Njoku, said the initiative was established to advance women’s health across Africa by bringing together women, innovators, healthcare practitioners and advocates.

 

 

 

Njoku explained that the foundation would take the conversation beyond the conference room through community-based outreach programmes focusing on maternal health, reproductive healthcare, mental wellness, education and leadership.

 

 

 

“This is just creating a conversation, but taking action, we’re going to propel into communities through our outreach programs, focused on maternal health, reproductive care, mental wellness, education and leadership,” she said.

 

 

 

She expressed the hope that the initiative would grow beyond Nigeria and become a broader African platform, while encouraging women to take their rightful place in conversations and decisions concerning their development, health and wellbeing.

 

 

 

The conference featured four major panel sessions covering maternal healthcare, leadership and innovation, reproductive health, and health and wellness.

 

 

 

The first panel, “Maternal Health Care,” was moderated by aviation strategist and author, Ruth Chukwueke. The panel featured Dr. Saad Abdumumin, Senior Programme Officer with Oatas Foundation; Eunice Benu, Founder and CEO of Mathy Health Care; and Dr. Ololade Diya, a medical practitioner.

 

 

 

 

The second session, “Leadership and Innovation,” was moderated by lawyer and communication strategist, Dr. Uzoamaka Orakwue. Panellists included Jennifer Odufuwa, CEO of Tantacom Group; Dr. Chuka Imo, Chief Medical Director of Skinetics Clinic; Divine Maduike Igbokwe, a public health professional; and Segun Ebozoje, CEO of Genetics Integrated Services.

 

 

 

Discussions during the third session focused on “Reproductive Health,” with emphasis on increasing awareness of women’s reproductive health. Jennifer Odufuwa moderated the session, which featured Ummi Musa Umar, CEO of Call Off Cancer Initiative; Dr. Ololade Diya; and Raheem Auwal-Panti, founder of Pantipads and youth advocate.

 

 

 

The final panel session, “Health Wellness,” was moderated by professional filmmaker and humanitarian, Ujuaku Akukwue. She was joined by Samuel Gada, Senior Digital Producer at Nigeria Health Watch; Professor Princess Akawor Dollor; and Segun Ebozoje.

 

 

 

The conference brought together stakeholders from the health, development, business, media and humanitarian sectors to examine practical ways of improving women’s health and strengthening their participation in leadership and sustainable development across Africa.