The Federal Government has called on doctors in Nigeria to embrace leadership and entrepreneurial skills to enhance healthcare delivery and drive progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made this appeal during the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council Meeting and Scientific Conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Empowering Doctors with Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills: A Panacea for Universal Health Coverage and a Brighter Healthcare System,” Dr. Salako commended NARD for prioritising these crucial but often-overlooked skill sets.
He noted that while doctors are natural leaders in clinical practice, expanding their leadership and entrepreneurial expertise would strengthen health policy development, management, and innovation in the sector.

As the healthcare landscape evolves, doctors must be equipped with the skills to lead, innovate, and adapt to changing circumstances,” he said, adding that such empowerment would improve patient outcomes, reduce inefficiencies, and promote equitable healthcare delivery.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving UHC by 2030, noting significant progress in expanding health insurance coverage. He revealed that between 2023 and December 2024, the number of Nigerians covered by health insurance rose by 15.7%, increasing from 16.8 million to 19.4 million enrollees.
He urged health training institutions and regulatory bodies to integrate leadership and entrepreneurship training into their curricula to better prepare healthcare professionals for the challenges ahead.
Acknowledging the economic challenges facing the country, Dr. Salako urged resident doctors and other health workers to show understanding and patience. He likened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms to a complex surgical procedure requiring careful execution and temporary sacrifices for long-term stability.
He assured the medical community that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to addressing their welfare concerns within the limits of economic realities.
Dr. Salako reiterated the government’s dedication to strengthening the healthcare system and called on doctors to remain committed to national progress.
The NARD conference is expected to explore strategies for enhancing doctors’ leadership and entrepreneurial capacities to build a more sustainable and efficient healthcare system in Nigeria.