Nigerian neurosurgeon Douglas Okor honoured in Germany for bringing complex surgery home
Trained in the UK, he went back to Nigeria so patients would not have to travel abroad for expensive treatment. "Nigerian patients are worth it," he says.
Frankfurt — Dr Douglas Okor, a Nigerian neurosurgeon, has received the 2026 International Social Hero Afrika Award for his contribution to advanced medical care, human dignity and social impact.
He received the award, in the Health Care, Human Dignity and Social Impact category, at the 2026 Golden Planet Award ceremony in Dreieich, near Frankfurt, according to a statement reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Coming home
The statement said the award recognised his work in widening access to specialist neurosurgery in Nigeria. Okor trained extensively in the United Kingdom and returned to Nigeria to provide specialist neurosurgical care, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for expensive treatment. His guiding philosophy, it said, is that "Nigerian patients are worth it".
Beyond complex neurosurgery, Okor and his team work on strengthening primary healthcare and on charitable projects through the AshantiGraham Health and Education Initiative Foundation.
"The capacity of Nigerians abroad"
Nigeria's Consul-General in Frankfurt, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu, attended the ceremony. He said Okor's decision to bring his expertise back to Nigeria showed the capacity of Nigerians abroad to contribute to development at home.
The ceremony also honoured 12 other people and organisations for work in social development, education, business, media, sport and environmental sustainability.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria, November 2026.
