The inaugural Business of Health 2026 conference is set to take place in Lagos on October 17, 2026, with the aim of reversing medical tourism and positioning Nigeria as a destination for high-quality healthcare. The event, scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., will bring together over 350 healthcare professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in person and online. Organized by Luxe Dental and Smile Doctor Foundation, the conference has a theme of 'Reversing Medical Tourism: Building the Infrastructure That Brings the World to Nigeria for Care.'
The conference will feature prominent speakers, including Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos; Dr. Omiete Charles Davies; Founder of Drugs and Medicaments Nigeria Limited, Mr. Chidi Okoro; and the Founder of Health Tracka, Dr. Seyi Abioldun. Other speakers include Dr. Oluwafemi Olaleye, Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank; Dr. Yemi Osinaike; and Dr. Funmi Adeniyi, Founder and Clinical Director of Luxe Dental Clinic. The event aims to examine practical steps required to build a healthcare ecosystem capable of retaining Nigerian patients and serving regional and international markets.
According to the organizers, the conference will focus on six critical areas: build, business, capital, innovation, infrastructure, and medical tourism. The program aims to challenge participants to view healthcare not only as a social necessity but also as a strategic national industry. This requires building hospitals, specialty clinics, diagnostic centers, care networks, health-financing platforms, and digital-health products.
The Business of Health 2026 conference comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria and Africa's health economy. Medical tourism has led to an outflow of patients and a loss of healthcare spending, specialist confidence, investment opportunities, and local capacity. However, Nigeria's large population, growing entrepreneurial base, expanding digital-health sector, and strategic position in West Africa create significant potential for the country to develop centers of excellence capable of delivering world-class care.
The event will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, allied health professionals, healthcare founders, investors, healthcare executives, health-tech innovators, business leaders, students, and organizations across the healthcare ecosystem. The conference aims to create a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders.
The organizers stated that for too long, the discussion around Nigerian healthcare has been dominated by deficiencies, including insufficient infrastructure, limited specialist services, financing gaps, talent migration, and the number of Nigerians who seek care abroad. The conference aims to shift the conversation towards what can be built in Nigeria to address these challenges.
By hosting the Business of Health 2026 conference, Nigeria is taking a significant step towards reversing medical tourism and developing its healthcare sector. The event has the potential to generate jobs, investment, and innovation across the country, ultimately contributing to the growth of Nigeria's economy.
Key points
- The conference aims to position Nigeria as a destination for high-quality healthcare and reverse medical tourism.
