Dr. Tomi Coker, Commissioner for Health in Ogun, has called for deliberate government investment in training doctors in leadership and management, beyond just clinical expertise.
Coker made the call on Saturday in Abeokuta at the Global African Women in Medicine (GAWIM) summit.
The commissioner advised young doctors and medical students to start developing leadership skills early, saying leadership is about consistent growth, learning, and experience.
According to her, ethical leadership and sustained investment in human capital are critical to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in reducing maternal mortality.
She noted that ethical conduct remains the foundation of medical practice, adding that values must guide professionals in both clinical and administrative roles.
“Ethics is a personal value. Whether in the boardroom or at the bedside, it must reflect in your actions because of the responsibility you owe your patients,” she said.
Earlier, Deborah Osinsanwo, President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, urged female medical professionals to extend their impact beyond clinical duties into policymaking and governance.
Osinsanwo said women had demonstrated excellence in the health sector but needed greater representation at top leadership levels to shape policies.
She commended ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Health in Ogun and expressed optimism that the summit would enhance dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.
In a keynote lecture titled “Sustaining Leadership from Practice to Boardroom,” Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase, Chief Medical Director of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, urged women in medicine to prepare for leadership roles.
Fatungase said women had the capacity to influence decisions and shape policies, adding that leadership goes beyond traditional clinical roles.
According to her, building value involves more than just clinical expertise.
“It’s about decision-making, knowledge, influence, and personal attributes,” she said.
Also speaking, the Organising Committee Chairperson, Oluwatobiloba Adewunmi, described the summit as a mentorship-driven initiative to empower women in medicine.
Adewunmi said the platform was designed to prepare women for positions of influence and active participation in healthcare decision-making.
Dr. Olajumoke Ladapo, convener of GAWIM summit 2026, urged female medical practitioners to move from clinical practice to leadership roles and transform healthcare systems.
According to her, the need for inclusion and shared purpose led to the establishment of the Excellence in Medicine (EIM) Ladies Network in 2018.
She added that the initiative later expanded into the GAWIM summit to accommodate more women and promote leadership development.
She noted that while medical professionals had excelled in patient care, there was a need to scale impact by influencing healthcare systems and policies.
Ladapo said the summit aimed to build a strong network and ecosystem for female medical professionals across Africa.
