By: Lukman Laleye Babalola
The Director-General of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Professor Saleh Yuguda, has been honoured with the WINSEC Award for Excellence in Public Health Leadership by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in recognition of his remarkable contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s blood transfusion system and advancing public healthcare delivery.
The prestigious award was presented during the Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026, held on August 5, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Professor Yuguda received the honour for his visionary leadership in repositioning the National Blood Service Agency through strategic reforms aimed at improving access to safe blood, promoting voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, and enhancing blood safety standards across the country.
According to the award citation, the NBSA boss has played a pivotal role in expanding equitable access to safe and quality blood for patients nationwide while strengthening institutional frameworks that support effective blood collection, screening, storage, and distribution.
The organisers also commended his commitment to institutional excellence, healthcare innovation, and strategic partnerships that have significantly enhanced emergency medical response, maternal healthcare services, and national blood security. They noted that under his leadership, the Agency has emerged as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
The high-profile event attracted an array of distinguished personalities from government, security agencies, the private sector, and civil society. Among those in attendance were the Governors of Kano, Yobe, Borno and Jigawa States; the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; the First Ladies of Borno, Bauchi and Jigawa States; a former Inspector-General of Police; senior military and security officials; captains of industry; and other notable stakeholders from across the country.
Speaking after receiving the award, Professor Yuguda expressed profound appreciation to the leadership of NAWOJ for the recognition, describing the honour as a testament to the collective dedication and hard work of the management and staff of the National Blood Service Agency, as well as the Agency’s numerous partners and stakeholders.
He said the recognition would serve as further motivation to deepen ongoing reforms and strengthen efforts aimed at ensuring the availability of safe, quality, and sufficient blood for all Nigerians.
Professor Yuguda reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation, enhancing public awareness on the importance of blood donation, and fostering stronger collaboration with healthcare institutions, development partners, and community organisations.
He stressed that access to safe blood remains a critical component of healthcare delivery, particularly in emergency situations, maternal health interventions, surgeries, and the treatment of patients with chronic medical conditions.
The NBSA Director-General also reiterated the Agency’s resolve to continue implementing innovative strategies that will improve national blood availability and safety, while supporting broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and save lives across the country.
The WINSEC Awards recognise outstanding individuals and institutions that have demonstrated excellence, leadership, and impactful contributions in security, governance, public service, healthcare, and national development. The recognition of Professor Yuguda underscores the growing importance of effective leadership and innovation in safeguarding public health and improving healthcare outcomes in Nigeria
(Emporium Reporters)
