Arik, NGO Collaborate on Heart Surgery for 150 Children

In a powerful demonstration of corporate social responsibility and humanitarian commitment, Arik Air has announced a strategic partnership with the United States-based non-governmental organization Hospitals for Humanity (HfH) to provide free open-heart surgeries for at least 150 Nigerian children each year. This initiative is aimed at tackling the alarming rise in untreated congenital heart diseases among children in Nigeria, many of whom face slim chances of survival without timely medical intervention.

According to the World Health Organization, congenital heart defects are among the most common birth abnormalities, and in Nigeria, access to pediatric cardiac care remains severely limited. A combination of high medical costs, a shortage of specialized healthcare professionals, and under-equipped hospitals has left thousands of Nigerian children with heart defects unable to receive life-saving surgeries. This collaboration between Arik Air and Hospitals for Humanity seeks to close that gap and offer renewed hope to affected families.

As part of the partnership, Arik Air will provide critical logistical support by flying in medical teams, equipment, and supplies for the surgery missions. This includes round-trip tickets for volunteer pediatric heart surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and medical support staff traveling from various parts of the world to Nigeria. The airline will also assist in transporting sensitive medical equipment required for the procedures.

Speaking during the announcement of the collaboration, Arik Air Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, expressed the airline’s deep sense of duty in supporting vulnerable populations, particularly children.

“At Arik Air, we believe our role as a national carrier goes beyond just transporting people. We see ourselves as part of the fabric of Nigeria, and that comes with a responsibility to support the health and well-being of our people,” Ilegbodu said. “Partnering with Hospitals for Humanity to help save the lives of Nigerian children is something we are proud to support wholeheartedly.”

Hospitals for Humanity, founded by Dr. Segun Ajayi, is a non-profit organization that has been active in medical missions across Africa and parts of Asia. It focuses on delivering high-quality surgical care to underserved populations, particularly in pediatric cardiology. Dr. Ajayi explained that many children with heart defects live with chronic symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and delayed growth — all of which could be addressed through surgery, if made accessible.

“Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand the heartbreak that parents go through when they are told their child needs surgery they cannot afford,” Dr. Ajayi said. “This partnership with Arik Air will dramatically increase our reach. With their support, we can perform over 150 open-heart surgeries annually, giving these children a new chance at life.”

He further added that the surgeries would be performed in Nigerian hospitals, allowing the program to build local capacity and train Nigerian doctors and nurses in advanced cardiac procedures. This capacity-building aspect ensures that the initiative will have long-term benefits beyond the immediate surgeries.

Many of the children selected for surgery are from low-income backgrounds and rural areas, where awareness and access to specialized healthcare is extremely limited. The program will also include medical screening camps and outreach activities to identify children in need of treatment. Parents whose children have already undergone surgery through HfH’s programs shared stories of hope and gratitude, describing how their children have returned to school and normal life after years of living with heart defects.

Experts in public health have lauded the partnership as a model for impactful public-private cooperation. With Nigeria’s healthcare sector facing ongoing challenges in funding and infrastructure, collaborative initiatives like this are seen as crucial for expanding access to specialized care.

Aside from the life-saving surgeries, the program also serves to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of congenital heart conditions. Many children in Nigeria are diagnosed late — sometimes only after severe symptoms have developed. With increased awareness and support, healthcare advocates hope this initiative will encourage more parents to seek medical attention earlier and reduce childhood mortality linked to heart disease.

Arik Air has stated that it will continue to support the initiative for as long as necessary, reaffirming its long-term commitment to improving lives. The airline’s involvement also reflects a broader vision of corporate social impact that goes beyond philanthropy to driving systemic change in healthcare access.

The first batch of surgeries under this renewed partnership is scheduled to take place later this year, with volunteer teams expected to arrive in Nigeria by the third quarter. Children selected for the surgeries will receive not just the procedure itself, but also post-operative care, rehabilitation support, and follow-up monitoring to ensure full recovery.

 

As Arik Air and Hospitals for Humanity embark on this journey to mend young hearts, the collaboration sends a powerful message of compassion, unity, and commitment to the most vulnerable members of society. It serves as a reminder that when the private sector and humanitarian organizations come together with purpose, they can achieve extraordinary outcomes — one heartbeat at a time.