Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), has commended Dr. Ibrahim Wada, founder of Nisa Premier Hospital, for his contributions to reproductive medicine through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The recognition came during a courtesy visit by Olaopa to the hospital in Abuja on Friday. He described Wada as a medical icon whose work since 1999 has brought national attention to fertility solutions in Nigeria.
Olaopa stated that IVF success at Nisa Premier Hospital marked a turning point, especially given the stigma surrounding infertility and the societal pressures faced by women. He recalled a previous interaction with Dr. and Mrs. Rabi Wada, which deepened his admiration. Referencing late scholar Prof. Claude Ake's 1997 foreword to his book, Olaopa quoted Ake's observation that Nigeria "yearns for heroes, acknowledges none and it devalues and derails those who could be."
He said his visit was inspired by that sentiment, aimed at honoring individuals who make transformative societal impacts. Olaopa urged Dr. Wada to expand his influence by engaging in health policy and advocacy.
Dr. Wada welcomed the gesture, calling the visit memorable given Olaopa's demanding schedule. He was joined by Dr. Moses Shuaibu, Group Managing Director of Nisa Premier Hospital, and Dr. Nonso Ogbueifi, Managing Director. Shuaibu credited Wada's vision for the hospital's achievements but emphasized the need for broader support, particularly from government.
He highlighted persistent electricity challenges affecting operations, contrasting the situation with his experience practicing in the United Kingdom, where power supply was stable. Shuaibu also called for a review of tax policies affecting private healthcare providers.
Olaopa celebrates Wada as a national medical hero while Wada's own team cites crippling electricity and tax burdens that undermine such recognition. If the state cannot provide stable power or reasonable taxation, then private healthcare icons operate in spite of government, not because of it. The same system that fails to support them now claims them as success stories. This gap between praise and practical support defines Nigeria's approach to its builders.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
