The former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, expressed strong optimism about the future of Nigeria’s healthcare sector, envisioning the nation as a hub for medical tourism.
As reported by The Cable, he emphasised that sustained innovation and ongoing capacity building are essential for enhancing the quality, accessibility, affordability, and efficiency of healthcare delivery across the country.
As Chairman of the 2025 Afrihealth Conferences and Exhibitions held in Lagos on June 19, Peterside underscored the importance of innovation in facilitating data-driven decision-making.
Peterside receives award from AFRIHEALTH Development Foundation for championing healthcare advocacy.
He noted that these advancements empower healthcare providers to anticipate disease outbreaks, personalise treatments, and significantly improve patient outcomes.
The former Member of the House of Representatives commended healthcare entrepreneurs for tackling critical challenges and advancing the frontiers of medical innovation.
He also expressed appreciation to the AFRIHEALTH Development Foundation for establishing a platform that unites health professionals and allied service providers from across the continent to exchange knowledge and ideas.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, whose contributions often go unrecognised,” he said.
“It is a real honour to receive an award from the AFRIHEALTH Development Foundation, recognising my healthcare advocacy efforts. This motivates me to remain engaged in advancing our healthcare system.”
Peterside also commended Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, and Iziaq Salako, the minister of state for health and social welfare, for their “transformative reforms” in the health sector.
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“The recent reforms in the healthcare sector, which have been recognised globally, give us hope of a bright future for Nigeria,” he said.
“I have faith that one day, Nigeria will be a hub for medical tourism, if we get leadership and technical capacity right.”
Peterside said Pate’s efforts in promoting local manufacturing of biologics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals would ensure better access to essential and quality medicines.
The event featured notable speakers, including Felix Erondu, a radiography expert, and Lere Baale, CEO and professor at Business School Netherlands Nigeria (BSNN).
Nigeria can gain immensely if it emerges as a medical tourism hub in Africa, with benefits spanning economic, social, and even reputational spheres. Currently, the country loses billions of dollars annually to outbound medical tourism, with Nigerians travelling abroad for treatments. Becoming a hub would reverse this trend, bringing in significant foreign currency from patients across Africa and even the diaspora. This directly boosts the nation’s GDP and strengthens the local currency.
Medical tourism isn’t just about doctors and nurses. It creates a vast ecosystem of jobs. This includes Healthcare Professionals; there is more demand for doctors, surgeons, specialists (e.g., in orthopaedics, fertility, cardiology, and cosmetic surgery, where Nigeria already shows potential), nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, and medical support staff.
It will also increase demand for hotels, guesthouses, serviced apartments, restaurants, catering services, and transport (taxis, car rentals). Patients often combine treatment with leisure. This would boost demand for tour guides, cultural experiences, local attractions, and retail.
A thriving medical tourism sector attracts local and foreign investment into healthcare infrastructure, technology, and specialised training facilities. This could lead to the establishment of more state-of-the-art hospitals, diagnostic centres, and rehabilitation facilities. The spending by medical tourists and their accompanying family members, on everything from local crafts to food and entertainment, would inject significant capital into local economies.
Stay informed with the latest updates on Nigeria’s travel scene by visiting the Nigeria Tourism News section on Rex Clarke Adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers
What is Dakuku Peterside’s main message regarding Nigeria’s healthcare sector?
Dakuku Peterside is optimistic about the future of Nigeria’s healthcare sector, emphasising that sustained innovation and ongoing capacity building are crucial for improving the quality, accessibility, affordability, and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
What role does innovation play in enhancing healthcare, according to Peterside?
Peterside highlighted that innovation enables data-driven decision-making, helping healthcare providers predict disease outbreaks, tailor treatments, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.
Which event did Dakuku Peterside chair where he made these statements?
He spoke as the chairman of the 2025 Afrihealth Conferences and Exhibitions held in Lagos.
Who did Peterside commend for their “transformative reforms” in the health sector?
He commended Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, for their efforts.
What is Peterside’s vision for Nigeria’s future in healthcare?
Peterside believes that Nigeria will one day become a hub for medical tourism, provided the country improves its leadership and technical capacity.
How does local manufacturing contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare future, according to Peterside?
Peterside stated that Minister Pate’s efforts in promoting local manufacturing of biologics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals would ensure better access to essential and quality medicines for Nigerians.
