Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU)
The Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Dr Tunji Olowolafe, has unveiled a strategic blueprint aimed at reversing medical tourism and positioning Nigeria as a global hub for world-class healthcare.
Speaking at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) conference in Abuja, themed “Reversing Medical Tourism, Africans Investing in Africa,” Olowolafe highlighted that Africa loses $7 billion annually to medical tourism, with Nigeria accounting for $2 billion of this outflow.
Olowolafe emphasised that Nigeria has the talent and resources to lead globally in medical services. He projected that, with focused effort, the nation’s healthcare sector could rank among the best in the world within five years. His plan centres on four pillars: action-driven leadership, enterprise investment, technological leapfrogging, and rebuilding public trust.
He called on the NMA to act as the “convenor of data, dialogue, and delivery,” coordinating among government, the private sector, diaspora, and development partners to drive evidence-based policy.
Olowolafe stressed that the NMA secretariat must be adequately resourced with financial and human capital to ensure strong leadership and effective implementation.
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