Ultimate Health Management Services CEO Honored with Prestigious Award
Otunba Lekan Ewenla, Managing Director of Ultimate Health Management Services, has been recognized with the 2026 Africa Health Maintenance Organization Chief Executive Officer Leadership Award. This accolade seeks to highlight and celebrate the contributions of Africa’s most innovative CEOs and business leaders, as stated by the annual awards organizers.
Acknowledgment of Industry Excellence
In a recent interview, Ewenla emphasized that the award reflects his organization’s exceptional performance within the health insurance sector, which is propelled by a commitment to innovation, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
Commitment to Affordable Healthcare
He noted, “We recognize that health insurance should make healthcare affordable, accessible, and equitable for all Nigerians. We remain dedicated to achieving this goal through robust collaborations with critical stakeholders, including regulators, the National Health Insurance Authority, and accredited health facility networks.”
Innovative Social Health Insurance Programs
Ewenla highlighted the launch of GIFSHIP, a social health insurance initiative designed specifically for informal sector workers and small business owners. This initiative aims to ensure that approximately 75 percent of Nigerians in the informal sector can access affordable healthcare options.
Collaborative Efforts with Health Facilities
The organization is currently implementing a new service level agreement with NHIA-accredited health facilities nationwide. This agreement serves as a standardized template for regulatory compliance. Furthermore, Ewenla revealed plans for interactive awareness sessions to facilitate direct dialogue among service providers, regulators, and representatives from target markets.
Government Support for Health Initiatives
Ewenla praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its efforts to improve healthcare metrics and enhance the effectiveness of health insurance programs in Nigeria. He noted that the government’s initiative aims for 50 million Nigerians to enroll in health insurance programs, with compliance certificates from the National Health Insurance Authority being mandatory for businesses of all sizes to access government benefits.
Strategic Framework for Enhanced Health Outcomes
Ultimate Health HMO is set to implement a strategic operational framework aimed at increasing primary care provider engagement based on actuarial recommendations, all focused on achieving significant health outcomes for enrollees of the U-Health GIFSHIP program.
Upcoming Stakeholder Engagement in Lagos
Ewenla announced plans for a stakeholder meeting in Lagos in July, anticipating participation from a large number of informal sector leaders and small business owners. He is also arranging discussions with Mrs. Folashade Tinubu Ojo, the Iyaloja Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, to enhance program participation and enrollment among market vendors and community leaders.
Transforming Health Insurance through Collaboration
The CEO explained that the goal is to partner with influential market leaders to enhance the well-being of individuals in marketplaces nationwide. He concluded with a commitment to lead transformative changes in Nigeria’s health insurance landscape, intending to introduce a flexible, incentive-driven enrollment process that will encourage increased participation in the program.
