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Ugonna Nwigwe, O.D, MPH, PMP, HMP
Health Systems Expert | Public Health Specialist | Healthcare Leader & Innovator

Ugonna Nwigwe is a visionary healthcare leader with over 15 years of experience transforming healthcare delivery and advancing public health in Nigeria. As the Founder, CEO, and Creative Head of The Eye Place Limited—one of Abuja’s leading eye clinics and optical boutiques—Ugonna has redefined eye care services with a commitment to quality, innovation, and community impact. Under her leadership, The Eye Place has served over 10,000 patients, forged partnerships with prominent Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and launched social initiatives like “Sight For Girls,” dedicated to providing essential eye care to young women in underserved communities.

In her role as Deputy Director of the Quality Assurance Department at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ugonna has contributed significantly to national health initiatives, including the NHIA Medicine and Professional Services Tariff Review and the creation of accreditation and quality assurance tools. These efforts have strengthened Nigeria’s health insurance systems and expanded access to quality healthcare services.

Her diverse academic background includes an MSc in Health Promotion and Public Health from Brunel University London, a Doctor of Optometry degree, and a Diploma in Ophthalmology. She also holds certifications in project management (PMP) and Health Management from the Enterprise Development Center (EDC), where she trained in entrepreneurship. This extensive expertise reflects her dedication to lifelong learning, innovation, and professional excellence.

Ugonna’s entrepreneurial mindset is complemented by her passion for fitness, social impact, and supporting emerging businesses. She excels in setting up effective processes for business delivery, mentoring budding entrepreneurs, and fostering environments that encourage sustainable growth. Her transformative leadership style, refined through training at the Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego and the Mandela Washington Fellowship, enables her to bridge the gap between health policy and practice, creating pathways for impactful healthcare solutions.

Driven by a commitment to meaningful change, Ugonna leverages her expertise in quality assurance, public health, and project management to elevate healthcare outcomes and guide organizations toward innovative solutions. Her personal tagline, “Transforming Health, Leading Innovation, Inspiring Impact,” encapsulates her mission to foster improvement in health systems and empower others to make a difference.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Ugonna enjoys traveling, learning new skills beyond her core expertise, and training. With a focus on continuous improvement and excellence, she inspires communities and organizations to strive toward a healthier, more sustainable future.