By Peace Udugba
The 2026 edition of the World Health Expo (WHX in Lagos), formerly known as Medic West Africa, concluded on Thursday after three days of high-level discussions, exhibitions, and strategic engagements aimed at transforming healthcare systems across Nigeria and West Africa.
The event brought together more than 8,000 healthcare professionals, policymakers, investors, manufacturers, and industry leaders, alongside over 500 exhibitors from 40 countries, reinforcing its position as the region’s leading healthcare trade and innovation platform.
Declaring the expo open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commencement of the event, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Adekunle Salako, described WHX in Lagos as a critical driver of healthcare transformation in West Africa.
He noted that the platform has evolved beyond an exhibition into a strategic catalyst for policy development, investment attraction, and efforts to bridge healthcare infrastructure and diagnostic gaps across the region.
Addressing the heavy dependence on imported medical equipment and in-vitro diagnostics, Dr. Salako highlighted several federal government initiatives designed to strengthen local manufacturing, improve health security, and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.
These include the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC) and the Presidential Executive Order for the Pharmaceutical and Allied Sectors.
The minister also outlined ongoing investments in the health sector, including the $1.2 billion Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) programme and the allocation of ₦402 billion for healthcare infrastructure development.
He further referenced the government’s partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), which is facilitating the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres, diagnostic facilities, cardiac catheterisation laboratories, and expanded radiology services across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
With Nigeria’s healthcare sector projected to grow significantly in the coming years, Dr. Salako encouraged global investors to explore opportunities within the country’s expanding healthcare market.
Industry stakeholders used the forum to discuss practical solutions for improving healthcare delivery and financing. Chief Executive Officer of EHA Clinics, Dr. Ifunanya Ilodibe, stressed the importance of creating stronger connections between policymakers, healthcare providers, and investors to drive sustainable growth.
Similarly, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and Country Director of PharmAccess, Njide Ndili, highlighted the need for improved access to long-term financing for healthcare businesses, emphasizing the role of local manufacturing and innovation in achieving healthcare sovereignty.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to building a sustainable healthcare system through affordability, maintenance, and universal health insurance coverage.
He noted that the implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act in Lagos is helping to strengthen healthcare financing and access for residents.
Prof. Abayomi also emphasized the importance of developing indigenous data systems to support the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Aliko Ahmed, Special Regional Representative of the Director-General of the Africa CDC Western Regional Coordinating Centre, urged African leaders to prioritize self-reliance in healthcare and align trade policies with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He stressed the need to build trust in locally manufactured healthcare products and reduce dependence on external aid.
Over the course of the three-day expo, participants engaged in accredited conferences, product demonstrations, networking sessions, and investment discussions focused on improving healthcare access, accelerating innovation, and strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.
As WHX in Lagos 2026 drew to a close, stakeholders expressed optimism that the partnerships, policy discussions, and investment commitments forged during the event would contribute significantly to advancing healthcare delivery, local manufacturing, and health sector development in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
