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By Doris Obinna
The Society for Family Health (SFH), through its enterprise arm SFH Access, has launched the CoElevate Catalytic Fund to accelerate innovation in health technology, WASH, pharmaceutical research and development, and non-communicable diseases.
The event, held on Thursday at SFH’s Lagos office, attracted innovators, policymakers, and development partners committed to strengthening Nigeria’s health system through homegrown solutions. The fund aims to address long-standing barriers that prevent promising ideas from scaling.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of SFH Access, Dennis Aizobu, described the fund as a turning point in West Africa’s innovation history. He noted that many Nigerian innovators do not fail for lack of competence but because of insufficient capital, support networks, systems, and exposure.
According to him, CoElevate was designed specifically to close these gaps by providing access to mentorship, funding, and platforms that support sustainable growth.
The Chairperson of the SFH Access Board, Ahmed Yakasai, said the initiative demonstrates SFH’s commitment to equitable healthcare and empowering young innovators. He stressed that innovation remains central to addressing Africa’s complex health challenges and praised the CoElevate platform for nurturing homegrown ideas capable of transforming local communities and health systems.
SFH’s Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, highlighted the organisation’s vast infrastructure, including advanced digital systems, regulatory expertise, a nationwide logistics network, and a pharma-grade warehouse, all of which will now be available to innovators under the CoElevate programme.
He said these assets will help start-ups scale rapidly and affordably, noting that true success in the next five years should be measured by improvements in maternal mortality rates and immunisation coverage.
Representing the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Victoria Egunjobi commended SFH for launching the fund at a time when innovators face limited opportunities. She noted that while innovation is vital for a functional health system, it is often costly and difficult without enabling structures. She expressed optimism that the CoElevate Fund will help nurture local ideas in diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and system-strengthening technologies.
SFH Deputy Managing Director, Dr Jennifer Anyanti, said the fund was deliberately created without a strict ceiling because SFH has a proven ability to mobilise resources for high-impact ideas. She emphasised that many good concepts fail due to a weak understanding of required systems and infrastructure, adding that the accelerator will help refine proposals, provide mentorship, and connect innovators to government agencies and funders.
Advisory Board member Dr Onyeka Uche Ofili described the CoElevate initiative as bold and transformative. He urged innovators to anchor their ideas on real societal needs, noting that solutions addressing genuine health gaps tend to attract funding, scale sustainably, and generate long-term value.
Founder of Syndicate Bio, Dr Abasi Ene-Obong, praised SFH as an underrated powerhouse with the infrastructure and discipline needed to advance deep-tech health innovation. He noted that building such companies in Africa requires far more than digital coding—it demands logistics, laboratories, regulation, and robust systems.
The CoElevate Catalytic Fund, offering grants, equity investments, regulatory support, and long-term mentorship, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and help drive nationwide health improvements.
