The Society for Family Health has transitioned into a quasi-group structure, repositioning itself as a fully integrated, African-led health systems platform to better address evolving healthcare needs across Nigeria and the continent.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, announced the transition in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, describing it as a strategic move aimed at strengthening institutional effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
According to Idogho, the transformation represents a shift from a traditional programme implementation model to a coordinated institutional architecture designed to respond more effectively to rapidly changing health system demands and priorities.
He explained that the transition came at a critical moment for Nigeria and Africa, as countries intensify efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage while strengthening healthcare systems and expanding access to essential services.
Idogho said that countries are also deepening domestic health financing and redefining partnerships in response to a shifting global development landscape that increasingly emphasizes sustainability, collaboration, and locally driven solutions.
He said the newly established quasi-group structure was intentionally designed to meet current needs by integrating delivery systems, financing mechanisms, market development, human capital, and advisory services into one cohesive framework.
According to him, the group will operate through a portfolio of specialized entities that collectively address the full health system value chain, ensuring more comprehensive and efficient service delivery across multiple sectors.
He listed the entities to include the SFH Donor-Funded Directorate, which will oversee the strategic implementation of donor-supported programmes at scale, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and measurable impact across targeted populations.
He said that other entities include SFH Access to Health GTE, which will focus on market shaping, health technology optimization, pooled procurement systems, supply chain strengthening, and last-mile delivery of essential health commodities nationwide.
Idogho added that Revo Health, a Health Maintenance Organization Limited, will drive the expansion of inclusive and affordable health insurance coverage, enhancing financial protection and access to quality healthcare services for more citizens.
He further explained that the SFH Institute of Public Health will focus on workforce development and building a strong pipeline of health systems leaders capable of sustaining long-term sectoral growth and transformation.
“In addition, SFH Advisory and Professional Services will provide policy advisory, systems design, and technical assistance to public, private, and civil society organizations, supporting evidence-based decision-making and effective programme implementation nationwide.”
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According to Idogho, the integrated structure enables SFH to move beyond fragmented interventions toward delivering end-to-end health system solutions that improve efficiency, coordination, and overall impact across healthcare delivery systems.
“This transition is a deliberate pivot toward building a resilient African institution capable of delivering impact at scale within a rapidly changing development landscape.
“As Nigeria advances its health reform agenda, particularly in UHC, primary healthcare revitalization, and domestic financing, SFH is positioning itself as a system integrator.
“Our ambition is clear: to move beyond programme implementation to platform-based impact, ensuring sustainability, efficiency, and long-term national value,” he said.
Providing strategic oversight, the Board President, Prof. Ekanem Braide, described the transition as a major milestone reflecting the organizations growth and its readiness to respond to emerging development challenges across Africa.
“This transition represents a maturation of SFH as an institution and a bold response to the realities of today’s development environment.
“Across Africa, there is a clear imperative to build strong, self-sustaining systems that are nationally owned and globally competitive,” he said.
Braide stated that the new group structure provides the governance framework, operational flexibility, and strategic alignment necessary for achieving its long-term objectives and expanding its influence within the health sector.
He expressed confidence that the restructuring will deepen the organizations impact in Nigeria while positioning it as a leading force in advancing health systems transformation across the African continent.
The organization stated that the group structure aligns closely with Nigeria’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare systems while improving service delivery and health outcomes nationwide.
It also noted alignment with broader priorities, including domestic resource mobilization, innovative health financing strategies, private sector participation, and expansion of healthcare solutions across regional markets in Africa.
According to the statement, the transition comes at a time when global development assistance is shifting toward co-investment models, blended financing approaches, and country-led implementation strategies that prioritize sustainability and local ownership.
The organization added that it is repositioning itself as a trusted partner to governments, development partners, and private sector stakeholders seeking integrated, scalable, and sustainable healthcare solutions across diverse populations.
SFH reaffirmed its commitment to delivering data-driven, integrated health services at scale while strengthening collaboration between public and private sector actors to improve efficiency and maximize healthcare outcomes nationwide.
It also pledged to drive innovation in healthcare delivery and financing models while expanding access to essential services for underserved and vulnerable populations across Nigeria and other parts of the continent.
It was reported that the Society for Family Health was founded in 1983 and incorporated in 1985 to address critical public health challenges and improve access to quality healthcare services nationwide.
