Healthcare leaders must move beyond policies to action —Ibiyemi, FMC Abeokuta MD

The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Dr Titilayo Ibiyemi, has called for a fundamental shift in healthcare leadership in Nigeria, warning that the country’s health system will continue to struggle unless leaders embrace innovation, accountability and practical reforms.

Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State Branch, in Ibadan, with the theme, “Redefining Healthcare Leadership in Nigeria: Innovation, Accountability and Sustainable Development,” Ibiyemi said healthcare leadership requires far more than occupying positions of authority.

According to her, those entrusted with managing health institutions must deliberately build systems capable of delivering quality, efficient and sustainable healthcare.

She identified weak institutional leadership, not the absence of infrastructure, as one of the biggest challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector.

“It is no longer enough to build hospitals. The systems that drive those hospitals must work. Every healthcare leader should be confident enough to say, ‘Take me to the hospital I lead whenever I am sick,’” she said.

Ibiyemi said effective healthcare leadership must be anchored on transparency, innovation and collaboration, warning that policies without implementation would do little to improve health outcomes.

She urged governments and health managers to strengthen accountability by making health data publicly available, arguing that the regular publication of performance indicators would promote transparency and improve service delivery.

“Data drives accountability. When people know their performance will be measured and made public, they are more committed to improving outcomes,” she said.

Ibiyemi also advocated greater community ownership of healthcare programmes, describing it as a critical ingredient for sustaining reforms.

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“When communities own healthcare programmes, they protect them. That is one of the strongest ways to ensure sustainability,” she added.

She further urged healthcare leaders to break away from working in silos and embrace strategic partnerships capable of addressing Nigeria’s growing healthcare challenges.

According to her, the country’s health sector must move “from policies to actionable plans and from silos to collaboration” if it is to deliver quality, accessible and inclusive healthcare.

The medical director also stressed that leadership is not an innate ability but a skill that can be developed through deliberate training, mentorship and continuous learning.

Expressing optimism about the future of Nigeria’s health sector, Ibiyemi said innovative leadership, stronger accountability mechanisms and sustainable reforms would help reposition the system to better serve the country’s growing population.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State Branch, Dr Happy Adedapo, called for leadership reforms, stronger collaboration with government and improved welfare for healthcare workers to address the persistent challenges confronting the nation’s health sector.

He commended the Federal Government for implementing the Professional Allowance Table for federal doctors and acknowledged improvements in doctors’ welfare in Oyo State, including increased subvention to health institutions, the inauguration of governing councils and ongoing efforts to facilitate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund.

Despite the progress, Adedapo described the migration of Nigerian doctors abroad as one of the greatest threats to the country’s healthcare system, noting that some health facilities in Oyo State were struggling to attract doctors despite ongoing recruitment efforts.

He urged both the federal and state governments to address the economic, security and welfare challenges driving the exodus of medical professionals, stressing that better remuneration, improved working conditions and enhanced security would encourage more doctors to remain in the country.

In his remarks, Emeritus Professor Oye Gureje urged Nigerian doctors to embrace innovation, lifelong learning and transformational leadership to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

Gureje said healthcare professionals must continually develop the skills and competencies needed to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving medical landscape, noting that advances in research, technology and clinical practice require doctors to remain lifelong learners while upholding the compassion and professionalism that define the medical profession.

According to him, healthcare leaders must be willing to champion innovation and acquire transformational leadership skills that will improve the performance of health institutions, strengthen healthcare delivery and ultimately provide better care for patients and communities.