British America Nursing School (BANS) Names Gift Taiye Owolabi as Head of Recruitment & Community Health Programs for West Africa Region
Top Candidate Emerges from Rigorous Selection Process Involving Over 20 Qualified Applicants
Abuja, NIGERIA — April 17, 2026 — British America Nursing School (BANS), the comprehensive healthcare workforce, training, telemedicine, and humanitarian services platform co-founded by Dr. Francis Fagjot John (USA) and Ruth Lami John (UK), is pleased to announce the appointment of Gift Taiye Owolabi as the new Head of Recruitment & Community Health Programs with primary oversight of the West Africa Region.
The appointment follows an intensive, multi-stage selection process that attracted applications from over twenty highly qualified professionals across the healthcare and nonprofit sectors. Candidates underwent a combination of virtual preliminary screenings and in-person panel interviews held in Lagos. Ms. Owolabi distinguished herself through a demonstrated mastery of public health strategy, deep-rooted experience in community volunteer coordination, and a compelling vision for mobilizing internationally educated nurses (IENs) across the West African corridor.
In a statement confirming the selection, Ruth Lami John, Co-Founder and Director of Clinical Governance & Training Excellence at BANS, highlighted the competitive nature of the recruitment process.
“The caliber of applicants we received for this critical regional leadership position was extraordinarily high, which speaks volumes about the growing reputation of BANS and the desire of professionals to be part of a transformative healthcare ecosystem,” said Mrs. John. “After a thorough and rigorous evaluation of over twenty candidates through both virtual assessments and face-to-face interviews, Gift Taiye Owolabi emerged as the undeniable choice. Her combination of emerging nurse leadership, practical experience with the Red Cross (Hillcon Chapter) and Brains Foundation, Jos, and her strategic understanding of the West African healthcare talent landscape is precisely what BANS requires as we prepare for our global launch.”
Regional Focus and Expanded Mandate
In her new capacity as Head of Recruitment & Community Health Programs, Ms. Owolabi will be responsible for spearheading BANS’ operational footprint across the West Africa Region, with an initial focus on Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. Her portfolio includes the dual mandate of building a robust pipeline of internationally educated nurses and caregivers for BANS partner institutions in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, while simultaneously expanding community-based health outreach programs in underserved and vulnerable communities throughout the region.
Key responsibilities highlighted in Ms. Owolabi’s appointment include:
- Strategic Recruitment: Leading regional efforts to identify, screen, and support West African nurses through the NCLEX (USA), OSCE (UK), and other international licensure pathways.
- Telemedicine Support: Coordinating regional volunteers and professionals for BANS’ new telemedicine integration initiative, aimed at providing affordable virtual consultations to remote areas.
- Humanitarian Outreach: Designing and executing community health programs serving veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), abused families, and school pupils within the region.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building partnerships with West African nursing councils, educational institutions, and government health ministries to streamline BANS’ workforce development programs.
About the Appointee
Gift Taiye Owolabi brings to BANS a background in public health and community mobilization. Prior to this appointment, she was actively involved in volunteer medical outreach and public health education initiatives in Northern Nigeria.
Acknowledgment from Leadership
“We are confident that under Ms. Owolabi’s stewardship, BANS will not only become the premier gateway for West African healthcare professionals seeking global opportunities but will also serve as a vital community safety net for those who are most vulnerable,” Mrs. John added. “Her selection from such a competitive pool is a testament to her potential, and we look forward to the immediate impact she will have across the region.”
Ms. Owolabi’s appointment is effective May 1, 2026.
Signed:
[Signature]
Ruth Lami John
Co-Founder & Director of Clinical Governance & Training Excellence
British America Nursing School (BANS)
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