The Landmark Centre in Lagos became a focal point for international health discourse on Monday, 2 June, 2025, as WHX Lagos and WHX Labs Lagos 2025 officially opened their doors, setting in motion what promises to be a landmark event in West Africa’s healthcare evolution.
Formerly known as Medic West Africa and Medlab West Africa, the now unified and rebranded WHX platform has transformed into more than just an exhibition. It has become a dynamic and immersive forum that brings together key stakeholders across healthcare delivery, diagnostics, digital innovation, public policy, and investment.
Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Chairman of the 10th Senate Committee on Health and Vice Chair of the Women Affairs Committee, formally declared the event open. In her keynote address, she emphasized the critical role of public-private integration in building a sustainable and accessible healthcare system for all Nigerians. Commending the organizers, she remarked, “WHX provides a much-needed platform that catalyzes action, investment, and policy reform in the healthcare space.”
The opening day launched with powerful conference tracks, featuring the Healthcare Leadership Conference hosted by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) forum. The HFN sessions, themed “Accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Health Sovereignty: Scaling Up Best Practices through Public-Private Integration,” tackled the strategic alignment of stakeholders towards achieving UHC.
Dr Njide Ndili, president of HFN, highlighted the role of WHX in driving this agenda. “Informa Markets has consistently provided a platform that is accelerating the healthcare system in Africa through impactful discourse, meaningful connections, and innovative equipment showcases. For this 10th edition of the HFN Leadership conference, we hope to further support policy development efforts that ensure universal health coverage,” she said.
In parallel, PSHAN’s conference titled “The Creative Catalyst: Driving Sustainable Healthcare Solutions in West Africa” convened an elite group of industry experts, policymakers, and private sector leaders. The discussions focused on how creativity and innovation can serve as catalysts for more agile, sustainable, and people-centered healthcare models.
Running alongside WHX Lagos, WHX Labs Lagos zeroed in on diagnostics and laboratory systems, critical pillars in disease surveillance and health system resilience. The inaugural day featured deep-dive sessions and interactive panels that addressed themes like the future of infectious disease tracking, strengthening public health laboratories, and the transformative power of diagnostics in UHC.
In its 12th edition, WHX Lagos 2025 has made a bold leap forward. From the first steps onto the bustling exhibition floor, it was clear that this is not just a trade show; it is a convergence of visionaries and change makers. Over 500 exhibitors from Africa and around the globe are showcasing next-generation healthcare technologies and services. Global leaders like Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Roche, Uni-Medical, Crown Healthcare and Dedalus are exhibiting a wide range of innovations, including AI-powered diagnostics, cutting-edge medical imaging, and smart hospital information systems.
Among the thought leaders were Prof. Christian Happi, renowned professor of molecular biology and genomics at Redeemer’s University, and Dr Donald Ofili, director and deputy registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). In his remarks, Dr Ofili stressed the significance of continuous learning: “This gathering is not just about innovation; it is about professional growth. With five CPD credits approved, we are reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning in advancing medical laboratory science in Nigeria.”
Perhaps the most striking aspect of WHX Lagos 2025 is its ability to break down silos. By housing WHX Lagos and WHX Labs under one roof, the event fostered seamless knowledge exchange across disciplines. Clinicians, scientists, policymakers, and investors engaged directly, turning the venue into a living, breathing ecosystem of ideas and solutions.
The event also featured a vibrant exhibition hall, where the latest medical technologies, pharmaceutical solutions, and healthcare services were on full display. Attendees explored transformative innovations and forged valuable connections through a series of structured networking events, creating fertile ground for future collaborations and impactful partnerships.
As WHX Lagos and WHX Labs 2025 continue over the next two days, the focus remains clear: empowering West Africa’s healthcare ecosystem through bold innovation, inclusive dialogue, and strategic investment. The momentum has been set, and the future of healthcare in the region looks brighter than ever.
