Born 28 December 1944, Eyitayo Lambo was appointed the Nigerian Federal Minister of Health in July 2003, holding office until May 2007 during the second term of the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo.

In July 2003, Lambo was appointed Minister of Health of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, holding office until May 2007, making him the only economist appointed as Minister of Health in Nigeria to date and the second longest serving Minister of Health in Nigeria to date. During his tenure as Minister of Health, the first Health Sector Reform Program for Nigeria was developed and implemented; the National Health Insurance Scheme was launched after being on the drawing board for forty years. Many health policies and legislations were formulated during his tenure, including the hotly debated National Health Bill.

He was one of the few politically neutral technocrats to serve under the administration. He had a strong focus on long term health sector reform and good governance.