First Lady receives Diaspora Health and Humanity Champion Award, calls for sustained support for healthcare system

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been honoured with the Diaspora Health and Humanity Champion Award at the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s healthcare sector and humanitarian development.

The National Diaspora Merit Awards celebrate outstanding Nigerians whose contributions, both at home and abroad, continue to promote national development and enhance Nigeria’s global image.

The awards ceremony, the fourth in the series organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), was held under the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.” The event brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and development partners from Nigeria and the diaspora to explore innovative ways of strengthening the nation’s healthcare delivery system.

Represented at the ceremony by the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, the First Lady expressed profound appreciation to NiDCOM for the prestigious recognition, describing the award as a call to deepen collaboration in advancing quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

She announced that 70 medical professionals under the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) will return to Nigeria to undertake medical missions, specialist training and capacity-building programmes across the country. According to her, the initiative reflects the unwavering commitment and patriotism of Nigerians in the diaspora towards improving healthcare delivery at home.

Mrs Tinubu encouraged diaspora healthcare professionals to continue investing their expertise, knowledge and mentorship in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly by supporting the training of the next generation of medical professionals.

She emphasised that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to building a resilient and efficient healthcare system, recognising that quality healthcare is fundamental to national development.

In her remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Nigerians living abroad for their remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions across diverse sectors. She noted that the positive impact of the diaspora community continues to be felt across the country through investments, knowledge transfer, humanitarian interventions and professional excellence.

Aside from the First Lady, other distinguished Nigerians were also honoured during the ceremony. Chief Chike Nweke received the award in the Entertainment, Arts and Tourism category; Dr Douglas Emeka Okor was recognised in the Medicine and Healthcare category; Professor Fatima Kyari received the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) Award; Professor Hakeem Ibikunle Tijjani was honoured in the Education category; Chief Joseph Onah received the Philanthropy Award; while Haruna Kuje Anzaku was among the recipients of the Distinguished Service Award.