Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advantage Health Africa, Pharm. Abimbola Adebakin, has been honoured at the 2026 Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare (EWAH) Awards in recognition of her pioneering role in leveraging technology to expand access to medicines and strengthen healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
The annual awards celebrate exceptional women whose work is shaping the future of healthcare through leadership, innovation, regulation, media, philanthropy and community health systems strengthening.
Adebakin was recognised for championing digital innovation that is improving access to and distribution of medicines through technology-driven solutions, joining an impressive list of women whose contributions have transformed healthcare and national development.
Other honourees included Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, founder of Elin Group Limited; Dr. Pamela Jackson-Ajayi, Founder of Pathcare/SYNLAB Nigeria; and Prof Moji Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, recognised for regulatory strengthening and pharmaceutical governance.
Others include Njide Ndili (health systems leadership), Osayi Alile (development leadership), Adenike Fasawe (community immunisation innovation), Angela Emuwa (media and inclusion advocacy), Dr. Oluwatomi Kogo (lifestyle medicine), and Vivianne Ihekweazu (health communication and advocacy).
Receiving the award, Adebakin described the recognition as both an honour and a reminder that much more remains to be done in improving access to quality healthcare.
“It is great to be recognised from time to time for the work we have done at the last mile. My company, founded nine years ago, has dedicated itself—and my whole team—to making sure medicines get to the last mile. We have used multiple channels, including logistics and community health entrepreneurs, to ensure people have access to medicines they can trust.”
Reflecting on the event’s theme, Miles to Go, she said it underscored the need to sustain innovation in solving healthcare challenges.
“The theme means there is still room to do much more, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Speaking on women in leadership, Adebakin encouraged young female professionals to remain committed to excellence irrespective of whether their efforts are immediately recognised.
“Be the professional you are truly called to be. Do your work whether you are seen or not seen, and take pride in Nigeria, in Africa and in our profession of pharmacy.”
She further stressed that Nigeria’s healthcare system requires more professionals willing to combine entrepreneurship with healthcare service.
“Healthcare requires so much, and the systems are largely in a state that requires a lot of help. I serve at the nexus of being an entrepreneur and being a professional, and I want to do more of this while encouraging more people to follow the same path.”
Reacting to the recognition, Senior Vice President of Advantage Health Africa and former National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, described the honour as a fitting acknowledgement of Adebakin’s enduring impact on healthcare innovation.
“This means a lot to us. It is a sign that the work she has been doing over the years has been noticed and appropriately recognised. She is one of the leading voices in Nigeria’s healthcare system and has developed innovative platforms that bring medicines, healthcare services and technology closer to millions of Nigerians.”
According to him, Adebakin possesses an uncommon blend of humility and bold leadership. “Her calmness betrays her boldness. She has the audacity to innovate on a national scale and to bring better healthcare to the people.”
He added that Advantage Health Africa would continue to push the boundaries of technology in pharmacy practice through artificial intelligence-driven solutions.
“We are integrating AI into inventory management, patient care and our accounting systems. We are building solutions that will make pharmacy practice easier while showcasing the excellence of community pharmacy practice in Nigeria.”
Before founding Advantage Health Africa,
Adebakin served as chief operations officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and public relations officer of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria. She also serves on several boards, mentors entrepreneurs through WIMBIZ and Google for Startups, and leads the Pharmacists Leadership Stimulant Programme, which has mentored more than 700 pharmacists across Nigeria.
