About 30 women leaders from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal have commenced a 12-month leadership programme aimed at strengthening their capacity to influence health systems, shape policy and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes across West Africa.
The participants are taking part in the 2026 West Africa Midwifery Leadership Journey, a fully funded initiative organised by WomenLift Health in partnership with WILAN Global. The programme commenced with a four-day leadership immersion in Lagos.
The initiative is designed to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making positions across the health sector, despite the critical role women play in delivering maternal and newborn healthcare in the region.
The 2026 cohort comprises midwives, educators, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, programme managers and health systems leaders, many of whom are already contributing to healthcare delivery and institutional development in their respective countries.
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According to the organisers, while the participants have diverse professional and national backgrounds, they share common leadership challenges that require stronger capabilities to influence institutions, policies and health outcomes.
During the Lagos immersion, participants are engaging in leadership development sessions, coaching conversations, peer exchanges and practical exercises aimed at strengthening their leadership capabilities, expanding their influence and building professional networks.
Founder and Executive Director of WILAN Global, Abosede George-Ogan, said the programme’s ambition extends beyond developing individual leadership capacity.
“Our ambition goes beyond developing individual leaders. We want to support leaders who can influence systems, shape policy, strengthen institutions, and ultimately improve maternal and newborn health outcomes across the region,” she said.
George-Ogan stressed that the complexity of current health challenges requires leaders capable of working across professional boundaries and building strategic partnerships.
“The challenges facing our health systems today are complex. They require leaders who can think beyond their own institutions, collaborate across disciplines, build trusted partnerships, and lead with courage in uncertain environments. That is why this journey exists,” she said.
East Africa Director at WomenLift Health, Dr Sylvia Vito, also encouraged participants to draw on their experiences as a foundation for purposeful leadership.
“Do not waste your experience. Use your history to drive your purpose. Service is where transformation happens, and growth often comes from being willing to do the hard things,” Vito said.
She further emphasised the importance of collaboration and professional networks in achieving sustainable health-system transformation.
“Leadership is not a solo pursuit. You need a network because ecosystems are not transformed by processes; they are transformed by people,” she said.
Following the Lagos immersion, the participants will continue the 12-month programme through individual coaching, mentorship, health leadership projects, collaborative learning and access to a network of women leaders working to advance equitable health systems across West Africa.
