More than 1,000 doctors from across Nigeria are set to elect new national officers of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at its 66th Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting scheduled to take place in Kano in May 2026.
The election, which begins on Sunday, 3 May, marks a historic turning point for the association, as it will be the first time leadership positions are decided through a delegates-based voting system. The shift follows a recent amendment to the NMA constitution, widely seen as a move to strengthen internal democracy within the organisation.
Amid reports of internal tensions, the NMA Secretary-General, Ben Egbo, dismissed claims of a crisis, insisting that the electoral process remains transparent and guided strictly by constitutional provisions. He emphasised that the association is focused on ensuring a credible and orderly transition of leadership.
Egbo noted that the conference, themed “Bridging Research, Policy and Practice: Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System for Resilience and Equity,” will bring together delegates from 37 state branches and eight affiliate bodies, making it one of the largest gatherings in the association’s history.
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He also highlighted the NMA’s rotational leadership structure, which allocates the presidency across Nigeria’s seven geopolitical zones to promote equity and national representation. According to him, the current leadership, including NMA President Bala Muhammad Audu, hails from the North-East zone in line with this arrangement.
The forthcoming election comes against the backdrop of disagreements within sections of the association, including the disqualification of some aspirants. However, Egbo maintained that all decisions were made in accordance with established rules, stressing that institutional integrity must take precedence over personal interests.
He criticised attempts by aggrieved individuals to challenge the process outside official channels, warning against actions that could undermine the association’s stability. Despite these concerns, he firmly ruled out any possibility of factionalisation within the NMA.
Preparations for the conference are said to be in advanced stages, with over 700 delegates already registered and the number expected to exceed 1,000 before the event begins. Egbo added that the Kano State Government, alongside security agencies and the Local Organising Committee, is working to ensure a peaceful and well-coordinated gathering.
He also urged the media to maintain professionalism by presenting balanced and accurate reports, clarifying that the NMA secretariat remains fully operational despite rumours to the contrary.
As the NMA’s highest decision-making forum, the Annual General Conference will not only determine new leadership but also provide a platform for addressing pressing challenges in Nigeria’s health sector, reinforcing the association’s role in shaping national health policy.
