By Admin
*JOS* – The 2026 World Blood Donor Day celebration in Nigeria has sparked controversy following allegations of irregularities in the recognition of the country’s highest voluntary blood donors.
The event, marked nationwide and attended by representatives of the World Health Organization, WHO, was meant to honour individuals with the highest number of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations. However, donors and stakeholders have raised concerns over the credibility of the awardees announced by the National Blood Service Agency, NBSA.
*Awards Announced*
According to records released at the event, Hafsat Isah was recognised as Nigeria’s highest female voluntary blood donor with 46 donations, while Nathan John Ankpa was awarded as the highest donor across both genders with 77 donations.
*Grace Zam Alleges Omission*
The announcement, however, did not sit well with many donors, particularly Ms. Grace Zam from Jos, Plateau State. Zam said she was earlier contacted by the NBSA headquarters in Abuja and interviewed as the nation’s highest female donor, and asked to submit photographs ahead of the honours.
Speaking to journalists in Jos, Zam, who said she has donated blood 94 times voluntarily, expressed disappointment that she was not recognised.
“My Jos Centre here knows it. In 2021, the headquarters of the National Blood Service Agency in Abuja awarded me for donating 60 times. Now in 2026, I have donated 94 times. To my greatest surprise, I saw a different person being honoured who donated 46 times,” she said.
She displayed her 2021 award certificate which reads: _“Grace Zam – The Highest Un-remunerated Blood Donor Award in Recognition of Your Personal Commitment to Saving Lives, 4th June 2021 by the National Blood Service Agency, Abuja.”_
> “If in 2021 I had 60 donations and was awarded, and now in 2026 I have 94, how can someone with 46 be honoured above me? Is it because she is more connected or has more resources? I am calling on the Minister of Health and the World Health Organization to look into this matter,” Zam stated.
*Donor Advocacy and Concerns*
Zam said she has been championing voluntary blood donation in Jos for years and has mobilized many youths, including her two sons who are also regular donors. She noted that she often supports donors with transport to encourage them to donate, especially in emergencies caused by accidents and insecurity.
She warned that the development could discourage voluntary donors.
“Good turn deserves another. When somebody does something, honour the real person. What they did this year has discouraged a lot of youth, and even me. I’m not donating because of money, but for passion to save lives,” she added.
*Call for Investigation*
Concerned donors and stakeholders are now calling on the Minister of Health and the Director General of the National Blood Service Agency to investigate the award process to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of voluntary blood donation in the country.
As of press time, the National Blood Service Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health had not issued an official response to the allegations.
