At the recent 2026 AfriHealth Expo, held at the Welcome Centre, Lagos, founder of the Afrihealth Development Foundation, Dr Chijioke Mbelu, spoke with Patrick Iwelunmor on the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, healthcare entrepreneurship, mentorship, medical brain drain, and the urgent need to rebuild trust within the sector. He also explains why strengthening the business side of healthcare is central to solving many of the country’s healthcare challenges. Excerpts:
Doctor, can you give us a brief overview of today’s event and its significance?
Today’s AfriHealth Expo in Lagos was very impactful. We had healthcare professionals, students, entrepreneurs, industry stakeholders, and policymakers all gathered together to discuss the future of healthcare in Nigeria. The keynote speaker, Professor Modupe Odunsi, spoke extensively on healthcare entrepreneurship and shared her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and how she succeeded despite the difficult terrain in Nigeria. Her story inspired many people here today.
Beyond that, we recognised the contributions of our speakers, panellists, and chairman with awards because these are people making sacrifices for healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The larger goal of this conference is to create conversations around the business of healthcare because without addressing that aspect, healthcare delivery itself cannot improve.
You often emphasise the “business of healthcare.” Why is that phrase so important to you?
Because healthcare is not sustained by passion alone. Passion is important, but systems, funding, management, accountability, and innovation are equally important. Many hospitals are struggling financially. Distributors are owed huge sums. Healthcare facilities are poorly managed. Some people import fake and substandard products into the country, and all these things weaken the sector.
If healthcare businesses are not healthy, then healthcare delivery itself cannot function properly. So, when we talk about improving healthcare in Nigeria, we must also discuss entrepreneurship, investment, regulation, management, and sustainability.
What role should the government play in strengthening the healthcare business environment in Nigeria?
The government has a very important role to play. There must be stronger regulations against fake and substandard products. Healthcare businesses should be supported through grants, incentives, and favourable policies. Hospitals and healthcare providers also need a more stable operating environment.
Another major issue is trust. If healthcare providers do not trust the system or the government, it becomes difficult for the sector to grow. Many Nigerians travel abroad for treatments that can actually be handled locally because they have lost confidence in the local system. Government must help restore that trust.
One of the major conversations around the Nigerian healthcare space today is the issue of brain drain. How is AfriHealth helping to address this challenge?
Mentorship is one of the key solutions. In the old days, healthcare knowledge was transferred through mentorship and apprenticeship before formal institutions became widespread. Young professionals need guidance from experienced practitioners who have gone through challenges and succeeded. That is why gatherings like this are important. When young people listen to experienced professionals share their stories, they become inspired and begin to see possibilities within Nigeria.
Many young healthcare professionals think success only exists abroad, but that is not entirely true. Some Nigerians abroad are even returning home to contribute to the healthcare sector. Some people who left Nigeria years ago are not even practising medicine overseas because of the stringent systems there.
So, my advice is for young professionals to look inward, identify opportunities within Nigeria, and build something meaningful here because there is no place like home.
What opportunities do you believe young healthcare professionals are overlooking in Nigeria?
There are many opportunities beyond conventional clinical practice. Some people can venture into digital health, telemedicine, healthcare technology, artificial intelligence in healthcare, health communication, medical logistics, healthcare consulting, and healthcare promotion.
I am a qualified medical doctor, but I have also moved into healthcare promotion because healthcare today is multidisciplinary. Young professionals need to understand that they are not limited to only one path.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare globally. How prepared is Nigeria for that future?
Nigeria must prepare quickly because the world is changing very fast. AI can improve diagnostics, patient management, telemedicine, medical records, and healthcare access. However, for us to benefit fully, we must invest in infrastructure, training, and digital literacy. We also need policies that guide ethical usage. Technology should complement healthcare professionals, not replace human compassion and clinical judgement.
You mentioned fake and substandard products earlier. How serious is this problem within the Nigerian healthcare sector?
It is a very serious issue because fake products destroy businesses and also endanger lives. When people lose confidence in healthcare products, they begin to lose confidence in the entire healthcare system. This is why stronger regulation and enforcement are very important. Stakeholders across the healthcare value chain must work together to tackle the problem.
Beyond conferences like this, what practical impact does AfriHealth hope to achieve?
Our goal is not just to organise events. We want to build networks, encourage collaboration, mentor younger professionals, create awareness, and stimulate innovation within the healthcare sector. We also want to create an environment where healthcare professionals can openly discuss their fears, challenges, and ideas because solutions often emerge from dialogue and collaboration.
What feedback have you received from participants over the years?
The feedback has been encouraging. Many people say they leave our conferences feeling inspired and more informed. Some participants have gone on to start projects, businesses, or collaborations after attending AfriHealth events. In Port Harcourt especially, people already anticipate the next edition immediately after one ends. Lagos is still developing gradually, but we believe participation and awareness will continue to improve with time.
Running an initiative like AfriHealth for many years must come with challenges. What keeps you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is the impact. When you see young people inspired, when you see professionals collaborating, and when you see conversations leading to practical ideas, you feel encouraged to continue. Healthcare is a critical sector. If healthcare improves, many other aspects of society improve as well. So, despite the challenges, we remain committed.
What is your long-term vision for AfriHealth Development Foundation?
We want AfriHealth to become one of the leading platforms for healthcare dialogue, innovation, collaboration, and mentorship across Africa. We want to bridge gaps between healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and the public. Most importantly, we want to contribute to building a stronger healthcare system in Nigeria and across Africa.
Finally, what message would you like to leave for young Nigerians interested in healthcare?
I want them to remain hopeful, disciplined, and innovative. They should not allow the current challenges in Nigeria to discourage them. There are opportunities here if they are willing to learn, adapt, and persevere. They should also seek mentorship, continue improving themselves, and look beyond conventional career paths. Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and those who are prepared for change will succeed.
