Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been honoured with the Diaspora Health and Humanity Champion Award at the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Awards in recognition of her contributions to healthcare and humanitarian development.
The award was presented during the fourth edition of the National Diaspora Merit Awards organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the theme, “Harnessing Global Diaspora Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”
Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the First Lady described the award as a call for stronger collaboration to improve access to quality healthcare across Nigeria.
She announced that 70 medical professionals under the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) would return to Nigeria to carry out medical missions, provide specialist training, and build the capacity of healthcare workers nationwide.
Oluremi Tinubu urged Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora to continue supporting the country’s health sector through knowledge transfer, mentorship, and training of young medical practitioners, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains committed to building a resilient and efficient healthcare system.
Speaking at the event, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised Nigerians living abroad for their achievements and contributions to national development through investments, humanitarian interventions, professional excellence, and knowledge transfer.
Other recipients at the ceremony included Chief Chike Nweke (Entertainment, Arts and Tourism), Dr. Douglas Emeka Okor (Medicine and Healthcare), Professor Fatima Kyari (Diaspora Health Impact Initiative Award), Professor Hakeem Ibikunle Tijjani (Education), Chief Joseph Onah (Philanthropy), and Haruna Kuje Anzaku (Distinguished Service Award).
The National Diaspora Merit Awards recognise outstanding Nigerians whose contributions at home and abroad continue to promote national development and enhance the country’s global image.If you’d like, I can also rewrite this in a more newspaper-style report or produce five alternative headlines.
