By Iroh Faith

The National President of Nigeria Association for Health Educators (NAHE), Professor Shehu, has called for renewed efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health education system through innovation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the association’s 28th Annual National Conference in Enugu, Professor Shehu welcomed participants from across the country to the conference, themed “Reimagining Health Education Building a Resilient System and Empowering Healthy Nations”

Professor Shehu described the conference critical in championing health education renaissance in the country
stating that it was the first time in the association’s 28-year history that its annual national conference was being hosted in Enugu, the Coal City State

On behalf of the association’s executive and members, he thanked the university for granting NAHE the opportunity to hold the conference in Enugu, saying that the warm reception and attractive environment had made a positive impression on the delegates.

The NAHE President urged participants to actively engage in the conference presentations, stating that many of the research papers submitted by academics and researchers contained valuable findings capable of addressing pressing health challenges in Nigeria.

According to him, the conference is exploring practical solutions for dealing with both communicable and non-communicable diseases, improving healthcare delivery through technology, and integrating indigenous knowledge and traditional practices into the country’s healthcare system.

Professor Shehu also thanked
the keynote speakers, lead paper presenters, and researchers for their contributions, urging them to focus their presentations on the conference theme.

He acknowledged the presence of delegates from several states, including Gombe, Yobe, Kwara, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, and Rivers and many more noting that their participation reflected a shared commitment to advancing health education in Nigeria.

He concluded by wishing participants a successful conference and stating that the discussions would contribute meaningfully to building a more resilient healthcare system in the country.

The four-day programmed ended on Saturday with delegates departing to their various institutions across the nation.

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Health educators and experts have called on the National Universities Commission NUC to as a matter of national urgency review the accreditation curricula for health education in the universities.

The stakeholders made the call at the 2026 Nigerian Association of Health Educators (NAHE) Annual National Conference held at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) on Thursday

Anchored on the theme, “Reimagining Health Education: Building Resilient Systems, Empowering Healthy Nations.” The conference focused on improving health education and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The conference was declared open by the Vice-Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius-Michael Okolie, who was represented by the University’s Registrar, Mr. Ambrose Ugwu.

The Vice-Chancelor while appreciated the NAHE for finding the University worthy to host the conference, advised the practioners to enact policies and programme that would enhance awareness creation and sustained campaign against lack of health hygiene among the populace.

He also emphasised on the need for teachers and health educators to be professional and thorough while discharging their responsibilities.

In his keynote address, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George O. Ugwu, stressed the need to reimagine health education in Nigeria. He stated that the health education curriculum should be reviewed, more experienced and knowledgeable health educators should be employed, and digital health literacy should be adopted to improve public access to health information. He also encouraged the use of digital tools to promote effective health messages.

Presenting the first lead paper, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ES-PHCDA) stressed the importance of community health education in improving healthcare delivery. She said health education creates awareness and encourages people to make proper use of healthcare services. She also noted that ignorance and misinformation have caused many people to reject vaccination and other essential health services, emphasizing the need to strengthen health education at the community level.

In her opening address, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Prof Ngozi Ani thanked the university management for their support and appreciated the NAHE and delegates for attending the Conference.

The conference also featured the unveiling and launch of the 26th volume of the NAHE Journal. The journal was officially launched by the NAHE National President, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja. During the launch, members and state chapters of the association, including Lagos, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Gombe, made financial donations in support of the publication.

Awards were also presented during the conference, with the NAHE National President, being conferred with the Fellowship Honour and the Award of Honour in recognition of his contributions to the growth and development of health education in Nigeria

Dignitaries at the event included the NAHE National President, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George O. Ugwu, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, and Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ES-PHCDA).

Also in attendance were traditional rulers, academics, health professionals, students, delegates from different states across Nigeria, and representatives of NAHE state chapters, including Lagos, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Gombe.

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The Enugu State Government has called for institutional and curriculum reform in the health education sector to meet emerging relatives.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Prof George Ugwu made the call in Enugu while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Nigeria Association of Health Educators, NAHE, and Health Education Practitioners of Nigeria, HEPN, Annual National Conference held at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, in Thursday

With the theme “Reimagining Health Education: Building Resilient Systems, Empowering Healthy Nations,” Prof Ugwu and other stakeholders demanded urgent curriculum reform and stronger digital health literacy to address gaps in Nigeria’s public health delivery.

Delivering the keynote, Prof George Ugwu, who traced the shift in health education from the 1900s to the present and asked, “Who will educate the health educator?” He said older models must give way to new approaches. Citing data, he noted a projected 11 million global health workforce shortfall by 2030, 29 percent hypertension awareness, and that 46.08 percent of information during COVID-19 vaccination was tied to anti-vaccine conspiracy.

According to him, “misinformation weakened trust and turned digital literacy gaps into health literacy gaps.”

To address persistent burdens such as maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, and malaria, Prof. Ugwu proposed a framework that includes curriculum review, expansion of exponential learning, NUC accreditation for dual NCE and B.Sc Health Education, and national and state digital health literacy strategies. He also said cultural channels should be used without reinforcing harmful practices and urged Nigerians to monetize and prioritize their health rather than hold on to stereotypes about incurable illnesses.

Speaking on Enugu’s model, Prof. Ugwu said the state has deployed Type 2 Primary Health Centres across all 260 wards to create a stronger platform for community health education. He disclosed that the International Hospital Enugu is over 95 percent complete, a Coordinated Command Centre for outbreak response is in place, and investments at ESUTH Parklane and SUMAS will keep medical students in Nigeria. He added that ESUT Teaching Hospital produces 350 doctors annually, while Godfrey Okoye Teaching Hospital produces at least 50. He concluded that “health education is central to Nigeria’s health future” because investments only yield results when people understand, use, protect, and hold systems accountable.

The technical sessions followed immediately. In Lead Paper 1 titled “From Footnote to Foundation,” Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of EN-PHCDA, said the completion of health facilities in Enugu’s 260 wards has not translated to better outcomes because many citizens are unaware of the improvements. Using a descriptive account, she explained that lack of awareness often leads to avoidable deaths. She concluded that health education is the wire that carries trust and knowledge between the people and the health system.

Prof. Evelyn Nwagu, HOD, Human Kinetics and Health Education, UNN, presented Lead Paper 2 on “Health Education Curriculum Reform.” focusing on the need to revise textbooks, teaching methods, and training of health educators to match current realities.

The conference also marked a major academic milestone with the launch of the 26th Volume of the NAHE Journal, a 364-page publication. Prof. Adaramaja launched the journal, which received support from state chapters. Igwe Samuel and the Lagos State Chapter launched with N100,000 each; Edo, Gombe, and Delta chapters gave N50,000 each; and Bayelsa gave N40,000.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion include: Prof. Aloysius Michaels Okolie, ESUT Vice Chancellor, represented by Mr. Ambrose Ugwu, Registrar; Igwe Asadu; Igwe Umunnabike Ejim; and Prof. George Onyemaechi Ugwu, Honourable Commissioner for Health.

Also in attendance were Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, NAHE National President; Dr. S. N. Akorede, National Secretary and National Treasurer; Prof. Titus Owoh; Dean, Faculty of Education; Prof. Owoh, Dean, Postgraduate Studies Prof Charles Chime, among others

Delegates attended from Yobe, Rivers, Kwara, Ondo, Edo and other states.

Highlights of the conference was the conferment the highest Honour if the association, Fellow of NAHE on the President, Prof Shehu

The event concluded with a cultural dance by the Faculty of Education and a drama performance by the Department of Human Kinetics.

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By Amaechi Agbo

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) will this week become a bustling hub of intellectual activity as the Nigerian Association for Health Educators (NAHE) and Health Practitioners of Nigeria (HEPN) commences its 28th Annual National Conference from Wednesday 24th June, 2026.

The 28th Annual National Conference with the theme: Reimagining Health Education: Building Resilient Systems, Empowering Healthy Nations” will be declared open by the ESUT Vice-Chancelor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels OKolie.

The four-day Conference which will commence on Wednesday with the arrival of dignitaries and participants from across the nation, will officially start on Thursday 25 through Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the prestigious Prof Julius Onah Auditorium,ESUT main Campus, Ebeano City, Enugu State starting from 10am each day

High powerful delegation of academic leaders including the national president of the Association, Prof Raheem Adaramaja Shehu, top government officials, local government administrators, traditional rulers, participants from all over the federation and students will converge in ESUT to highlight a new narrative for health education in Nigeria.

The conference is expected to enhance the growing collaboration between academia and the governments in addressing Nigeria’s public health issues.

The Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, Prof. George Ugwu will deliver the Keynote speech while the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku and Prof Evelyn Nwagu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) are among the speakers.

Apart from the President of NAHE Prof Shehu, who is also the Executive Chairman Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and Chairman of Chairmen of Universal Basic Education, other dignitaries to grace the conference include the Enugu State Commissioner for Education – Prof. Ndubeze Mbah; Executive Chairman Post-primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB); Rev. Fr. Dr. Hillary Mgbodile; the Executive Chairman ESUBEB, Asso. Prof Banko Okibe, Executive Chairman Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission – Prof. Chris Ngwu; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Enugu State, Prof. Sam. Ugwu, the Nkanu West L G chairman – Hon. John Ogbodo as well as the Oji River L G Chairman, Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike,

Royal fathers of the day are, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu – Ogadagidi I of Edem – Ani ancient kingdom, Igwe Umunnabike Ejim – Ojiagu Autonomous community, Agbani and HRM, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, PhD. Obioha the 2nd of Amurri Ancient kingdom, among others

Speaking in an interview with ESUT Monitor, Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the Conference and immediate past Director of Sports ESUT, Prof Ngozi Rita Ani said the activities to mark the successful hosting of the Conference commenced few months ago with a courtesy visit to the ESUT management as well as hosting of first Health Talk and Awareness Day for ESUT students and staff on June 9 to sensitize them on the conference

Prof Ani who disclosed that the University is ready for the conference, expressed appreciation to the management, State Chapter, students and Department for their support.

“When we visited the management two months ago to officially inform them that ESUT will be hosting the conference, our capacity Vice-Chancelor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels OKolie expressed delight on the idea and gave us the blessings and support to carry on.

“Today as the countdown continues, I want to say that ESUT is ready to host our national delegates. We thank the National President, Prof Shehu and his Executive Council for giving us the challenge to host the event. And we thank ESUT management, Dean Faculty of Education, my colleagues, NAHE&P Enugu State Chapter and Students for support,” she said.

The 28th NAHE National Conference aims to tackle critical issues in community health, Public Health, hygiene education, and sustainable healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

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