New Scholarship Initiative Aims to Boost Female Doctors and Close Nigeria’s Healthcare Gender Gap

The Built for Her Foundation has launched a first‑of‑its‑kind National Medical Students Scholarship to strengthen the representation of women in the medical profession and help address Nigeria’s persistent gender disparities in healthcare delivery. The fully funded programme was unveiled at a high‑profile event in Abuja, drawing policymakers, healthcare professionals, academics, students, and civil society leaders united in a shared commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and expanding opportunities for female medical practitioners.

At the heart of the initiative is a scholarship programme that will support 30 outstanding female medical students in their final year (400 level). Five beneficiaries were selected from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through a merit‑based application process conducted in partnership with the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA).

Dr. Teniola Saraki, Founder of the Built for Her Foundation, explained that the scholarship was born from a belief that women and girls deserve a world intentionally built with them in mind — especially in sectors that shape the health and wellbeing of entire communities.

“Female representation in the physician workforce is still below 50 per cent,” Dr. Saraki noted. “Yet evidence shows that when women are included meaningfully in healthcare — whether in clinical care, leadership, research, or policy — health outcomes improve across the board. This scholarship directly strengthens the pipeline of female doctors who will drive change in our health system.”

Dr. Saraki outlined the Foundation’s strategic approach, which draws on global evidence and frameworks to address the gender health gap in a systems‑driven way. This includes initiatives to count women, include women, study women, care for women, and invest in women, pillars designed to create sustainable, measurable impact.

Highlighting global health data, Dr. Saraki pointed out that women spend about 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health than men, which translates to nearly nine additional years of ill health over a lifetime. “Women’s health is fundamental not only to gender equity, but also to national development, economic growth, and social welfare,” she added.

The scholarship covers tuition costs and is fully financed for the inaugural cohort, with plans already underway to expand the programme in future years. By prioritising merit‑based selection and broad geographic representation, the Built for Her Foundation aims to nurture a new generation of clinicians, researchers, and health leaders who reflect Nigeria’s diverse population and who are equipped to address both everyday and complex health challenges.

Mrs. Toyin Saraki, former First Lady of Kwara State and a longstanding advocate for health, education, and social development, also addressed the audience. She stressed that persistent gaps in access, representation, and investment in women’s health are driven by structural weaknesses that require strategic, evidence‑based interventions. By aligning with global development frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she argued that expanding women’s participation in healthcare is essential to reducing inequalities and advancing national progress.

The event further underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. A representative of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare affirmed that the Foundation’s objectives support broader national health priorities, including efforts to reduce maternal mortality and improve access to quality care.

One scholarship recipient, Miss Hindat Abdulwahab, a 400‑level medical student at Ahmadu Bello University, described the award as more than financial assistance, calling it a powerful affirmation of her purpose and commitment to serve. “It is a privilege to meet people in their most vulnerable moments and help them through difficulty,” she said.

About Built for Her Foundation
Built for Her Foundation is a women‑led organisation dedicated to advancing gender equity in health and beyond through evidence‑based solutions, strategic partnerships, and targeted interventions. The Foundation’s work bridges gaps in representation, care, and outcomes by investing in women as practitioners, leaders, and innovators in fields that shape the wellbeing of families and communities.