Nigeria’s health sector faces acute challenges even as innovators redefine its future.
Public financing remains well below global benchmarks: the 2024 federal budget allocated about N1.34 trillion to health just around 4.6% of the total budget far short of the 15% Abuja Declaration target.
Many states also under‑spend on health relative to their budgets, with actual execution rates lagging allocations. Out‑of‑pocket payments, though improving, still account for a majority of health spending, reaching about 58.3% in 2024, exposing households to financial hardship.
Health outcomes remain uneven: Nigeria’s under‑five mortality rate is among the world’s highest at over 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, while infant and neonatal deaths also persist at worrying levels. Maternal mortality continues to drive concern, with the country contributing a substantial share of global maternal deaths due to limited access to quality obstetric care.
Despite these systemic gaps in funding, infrastructure, and outcomes, visionary women founders are leading solutions from supply chain innovations and primary care platforms to diagnostics, health education, and community‑driven services—transforming Nigeria’s health landscape and expanding access to quality care across communities.
Joke Bakare stands as one of the pioneering forces shaping Nigeria’s pharmaceutical retail landscape. A graduate of the University of Ife, she made a bold move in 1993 by founding Medplus, at a time when the concept of chain pharmacies was virtually non-existent in Nigeria.
With a clear vision to transform access to quality healthcare products, she introduced a structured, customer-focused retail pharmacy model that emphasized trust, authenticity, and service excellence. Under her leadership, Medplus has grown into one of Nigeria’s most recognised pharmacy-led health and beauty retail chains, earning a reputation for providing genuine products and a superior customer experience.
Today, Medplus operates dozens of outlets nationwide, serving as a one-stop destination for pharmaceuticals, wellness, and beauty needs. The brand has evolved beyond a traditional drugstore into a holistic health and lifestyle hub, blending innovation with accessibility.
A registered pharmacist with a strong eye for product trends and retail strategy, Mrs. Bakare oversees the company’s strategic direction and day-to-day operations. Her leadership reflects deep expertise in retail management and an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access.
These healthcare juggernauts don’t get enough of their flowers. They’re doing amazing! Especially those on the services side