Dr. Everest Okpara is a well-known figure in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, recognized for his consistent impact and leadership in medical diagnostics. His journey, however, started far from the spotlight, long before the boardrooms and modern labs.
According to businessday, It started humbly—in the rural community of Isiekenesi, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, where a young Everest first learned the values of discipline, responsibility, and enterprise by helping his mother run her small catering business.
Born into the Okpara family as one of three children, Everest’s formative years were defined by hard work and exposure to real-life business challenges. He would wake up early to fetch firewood from farmlands like Ikpa and Ugwu Ajako, assist with cooking, and serve customers during local market days—Nkwo, Orie, Eke, and Afo. Transporting goods on his bicycle, often under the sun or rain, wasn’t merely a chore; it was a classroom. It was during these moments that he developed a strong work ethic, organizational skills, attention to detail, and an enduring love for humanity. These childhood experiences planted the seeds of moral clarity, business acumen, and an uncommon resilience that would later define his leadership style.
Dr. Okpara’s academic journey began at Community Primary School, Dimagu, followed by secondary education at National Secondary School Ntueke, all in his hometown. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from Lagos State University, and in pursuit of knowledge that matched his vision, he went on to study Biostatistics and Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA. He also completed programs in Healthcare Management at Lagos Business School and earned both an MBA and PhD from Charisma University, USA.
But it was the painful loss of his grandmother—due to a misdiagnosis—that would become the catalyst for a seismic shift in his life’s trajectory. Determined to prevent similar occurrences for others, he traveled across Europe and America, understudying world-class diagnostic systems. On returning to Nigeria, he channeled this knowledge into a bold vision: to revolutionize healthcare diagnostics in the country.
In 2005, that vision took form with the founding of Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services Ltd. What began as a single facility has today become one of Nigeria’s foremost medical diagnostics providers, with fully equipped branches in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. The Abuja center, located in Wuse II, has earned national recognition for medical excellence and is a major destination for medical tourism.
Under Dr. Okpara’s leadership, Everight has not only championed innovation but has set industry standards. In 2019, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lab developed molecular diagnostic capabilities and was among the first private laboratories approved by both the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to conduct real-time PCR tests. The lab has since achieved ISO 15189-2012 and ISO 15189-2022 accreditations—solidifying its position as a beacon of quality and compliance.
His entrepreneurial drive did not stop with Everight. In 2018, he founded Sangtech Technologies Nigeria Ltd, an IT consultancy delivering digital solutions such as Laboratory Information Systems and Picture Archiving & Communication Systems (PACS)—further demonstrating his belief in the convergence of healthcare and technology.
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Dr. Okpara’s approach to leadership is as strategic as it is human-centered. He is deeply invested in building teams, strengthening systems, and making healthcare accessible to underserved populations through the Everight Healthcare Foundation. Whether he is designing cutting-edge diagnostic infrastructure or championing community health outreach, his mission remains clear: to build a healthier Nigeria through innovation, access, and unwavering integrity.
In recognition of his dedicated contributions to the advancement of healthcare, Gulf Medical University in the United Arab Emirates honored Dr. Everest Okpara, the Chairman/CEO of Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services Ltd, with a prestigious award of appreciation on February 1, 2025. In recognition of his impact in Nigeria’s medical diagnostics space, he was invited to deliver a lecture on The Role of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Pandemic Preparedness and Response at the UK International Health Summit in Liverpool United Kingdom on February 14, 2025. His commendable and competitive strategies as well as his significant infrastructural investments in the medical diagnostics industry have earned him several global recognitions and widespread admiration.
Today, the boy who once fetched firewood and rode a bicycle to local markets is a visionary healthcare leader shaping policy and practice in Nigeria. Dr Okpara’s journey is a testimony to what is possible when enterprise is combined with empathy, and when purpose is guided by perseverance.
