Dr Ifedayo M O Adetifa

Ifedayo M. O Adetifa MBBS, FWACP (Paed), MSc PhD, is the 2nd Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). He is a paediatrician and epidemiologist, with almost two decades of working experience in general paediatrics, paediatrics infectious diseases and infectious disease epidemiology. His work to date has covered the areas of paediatrics HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis epidemiology and the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases. In the last seven years, he has focused on vaccine epidemiology research with an overarching aim of generating evidence for vaccine policy in Africa through vaccine impact studies and seroepidemiology. He has also been involved in the COVID-19 response through his activities as a member of the Kenya SARS-CoV-2 Serology Consortium. As part of his activities in the vaccine policy arena, he is a member of the World Health Organisation, Africa Region’s (WHO-AFRO) Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Group, the WHO Respiratory Syncytial Virus Technical Advisory Group, and the Programme Advisory Group for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme. Members of the Kenya SARS-CoV-2 Serology Consortium

Until his current appointment as the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, he was an Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom, and Clinical Epidemiologist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)- Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) in Kilifi, Kenya from 2014 to date. And prior to this he was a Clinical Epidemiologist at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia.

Dr Ifedayo Adetifa received his undergraduate medical qualification from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, studied for his Masters in Epidemiology at the London Shool of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and received his PhD also in Epidemiology from the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He completed clinical specialty training at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos for which he was awarded the Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians in Paediatrics.

Dr Walter Kadazi

Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo is the WHO Country Representative (WR) to Nigeria. A longstanding and well-respected WHO international expert. He is a public health epidemiologist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with over 30 years of progressive experience in clinical practice, management of primary health care, health policy dialogue, governance and coordination, as well as implementation. He held senior international positions in both English and French Speaking countries, including as WR to Burundi; Coordinator of the WHO Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance/Malaria Elimination; WHO Scientist Malaria & NTDs in Papua New Guinea; and Policy Advisor, Gates Malaria Partnership. He holds an MSc degree in Public Health from the London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. Doctor Mulombo carries with him, expertise in the management of primary health care, an important attribute in the Nigerian context with PHC as the bedrock of the National Health Policy and National Strategic Health Development Plan II in support of Universal Health Coverage and Health-related SDGs.

Dr Tosan Erhabor

Tosan Erhabor was born in Ekiadolo, Benin Edo State on 22nd July 1964. He attended School of Medical Technology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria, majoring in Hematology, where he received an award as the best graduating student in Hematology and Blood Group Serology.

He became an Associate member of then Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria, IMLT in 1990, a fellow of the same Institute in 1994, majoring in Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, earned a Masters in Medical Laboratory Science (MMLS) Hematology from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in 2003. Erhabor, a seasoned Medical Laboratory Scientist and civil servant with about 24 years’ experience, started his working career as a Lecturer, at School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin Edo State in 1992 from where he transferred his service to the then Institute of Medical Laboratory Science Technology Lagos in 1997 as a Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist.

He rose through the ranks to become Director and Head of Department External Quality Assurance (EQA), the Acting Registrar/CEO of MLSCN and confirmed. Before this, he was the first professional to hold the post of Examination Officer in the then Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology now Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria from 1996-2009. During his stint in that capacity, the Institute now Council as a Regulatory body grew in leap and bounds due to his tenacious attitude in carrying out his duties Erhabor is a bridge builder, whose admirers not only cut across the older generation of the profession but acts as mentor to the younger members of the profession. This makes his appointment unique at this time of the Council’s life for it is believed that his experience over the years will be brought to bear as the “Chief Servant of the Council” as he prefers to be addressed.

He is an active member of Association of Medical Laboratory of Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN), International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) and a member IFBLS Expert Group on Hematology, 2004-2006 member, Member MLSCN committee on Quality Manual Development/ Implementation amongst several others.

He has attended several trainings both in Nigeria and Overseas including Canada 2000, Sweden 2004, India 2008, USA 2009, Kenya 2010 and South Africa 2012.Erhabor, whose hobbies include adventure, football, reading and driving is a Christian, married to Mrs. Esther Erhabor and they are blessed with five lovely children

Dr Gambo Aliyu

Before his appointment as Director General NACA Dr. Aliyu served as Country Director for the University of Maryland programs in Nigeria and Assistant Professor in Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

He was among the first Nigerians to receive in-depth trainings on establishing ARV-PMTCT centers of excellence from IHV UMB preparatory to the introduction of PEPFAR programs in 2003. Over the last 15 years, he was vastly involved in HIV research and program evaluations to support decision making.

In 2005 he co-pioneered mobile HIV testing service delivery to key affected populations in the process of implementing an HIV seroconversion study (REACH project) in Nigeria.

In 2017, he evaluated two national HIV treatment program strategies: Test and Start, and Community ART, critical to scale up of ARV treatment for achievement of sustainable HIV epidemic control in Nigeria. Lastly, he directed the nation-wide implementation of NAIIS, the world largest HIV population-based survey in Nigeria (NAIIS) which helped Nigeria to know the true epidemic and impact of HIV services delivered in the last 15 years of PEPFER intervention and the last mile for achieving epidemic  control.

Prof. Abiodun Denloye

Professor Abiodun A. Denloye is a Medical and Applied Entomologist in the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. He attended Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo where he obtained his B. Sc (Hons.) degree in Zoology from the Department of Biological Sciences (now split into Biochemistry, Botany, Fisheries and Zoology & Environmental Biology Departments). After his National Youth Service at the 7th Mechanized Brigade, Giginya Barracks, Sokoto as a Biology Teacher he worked Briefly as Farm Manager at Kola Farms, Ijebu-Ode and then proceeded to University of Lagos for his M. Sc degree in Zoology in 1990. He was admitted to PhD (Zoology, with specialization in Applied Entomology and Pest Management) in the same department at University of Lagos in 2008. Prior to commencement of his pursuit of PhD degree, he had worked as worked as a journalist with the defunct Concord Group of Newspapers where he rose to the post of Associate Editor with Specialization as a Science, Health, Environment and Development Issues writer. He learnt the skills of journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos where he obtained a Certificate in News Reporting. He is a frontline trainer in Biosafety and Biosecurity Risk (Biorisk) Management. He is both an undergraduate and postgraduate tutor who has supervised over 200 undergraduate final year projects, and over 50 postgraduates including PhDs. He is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Environmental Resources Management Program of the Centre for Environment, Science and Development, Lagos State University.

Additionally, he has served as external examiner and Assessor to several universities including University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Baze University, Abuja, Rivers State University and Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB). His research efforts have produced over 50 scholarly articles in medical entomology, environmental toxicology and management of biomedical wastes over the last 25 years. His pioneering efforts contributed to the formation of the Nigeria Biological Safety Association (NiBSA) in November 2010. He was the pioneer Secretary of NiBSA, Vice President and now the President. It is to his credit that the formation of the NiBSA galvanized efforts of the Federal House of Assembly and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enacted Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency Act of 2015 birthing the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Abuja. Also, through his activities in Biosafety and Biosecurity, the West African Biorisk Management Network (WABNet) under the auspices of the West AFrican Health Organization (WAHO) which superintends health matters for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in collaboration with the International Foundation for Biosafety Associations (FBA). He is an IFBA Certified Biorisk Management Professional, IFBA Certified Biosecurity Professional, and Certified Biorisk Management trainer. Also he is a Trainer and Shipper of Biological Samples, he is well versed in deploying the science and skills underpinning decision-making in respect of the biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). In 2020 he led capacity developed from NiBSA to carry out Biorisk Assessment in selected medical facilities across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria for the Federal Ministry of Health and Management Sciences for Health (MSH) in Nigeria.

Prof Denloye had served twice as Head of Department and then Director of LASU’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (now Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovations). In these positions he was involved in the writing of new curricular in Zoology and Environmental Biology and he spearheaded the commencement of lectures, practicals and projects in Entrepreneurship during his over four years tenure as the Director of the LASU-Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies now rebranded as Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovations. Professor Denloye provides editorial and review services for various journals. He moved the establishment of Journal of Prospects in Science and served as Managing Editor for the journal and the Nigerian Journal of Research and Review in Science, Faculty of Science, LASU. Currently, he is the Editorial Manager and member of the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Journal of Entomology (NJE). He is a Fellow of the Entomological Society of Nigeria (FESN), Fellow of the Nigerian Biological Safety Association (FNiBSA), Fellow of the Society for Educational Administrators of Nigeria (FSEAN) and Member, American Biosafety Association (ABSA) as well as African Biological Safety Association (AFBSA) of which he is the Honorary Secretary.

Dr. Njide Ndili

Dr. Njide Ndili is the Country Director for PharmAccess Foundation, an international NGO with a unique integrated approach that addresses the demand and supply side of the healthcare system, and uses the opportunities that mobile technology and data provide to leapfrog development in the health markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

Her work focuses on promoting basic health insurance plans and other innovative demand-side financing options to enable protection from financial hardship, especially for low-income communities; implementing quality standards and improvement methodologies for health care providers to increase transparency and stimulate efficiencies; facilitating business loans, technical assistance and investments to enable private health SMEs to improve their operations, and using data to empower the healthcare ecosystem. PharmAccess has footprints in 14 States in Nigeria including Lagos State, supporting implementation of mandatory health insurance laws both at the federal and state levels.

With over 25 years of leadership roles in the healthcare industry in the United States and Nigeria, and has worked as a consultant to several healthcare organizations. She served as a Commissioner for the Lancet and FT Commission on Digital Health and AI-Governing Health Future whose report was launched in October 2021, set up to explore how digital and frontier technology can be used to accelerate UHC, especially for the young population and low-income countries.

Njide is also the current Vice President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, an advocacy platform seeking greater involvement of the private sector in the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria.

Njide has an MSc in Health Economics, Policy and Management from London School of Economics, AMP from INSEAD Business School France, MBA from the University of Houston, Post Graduate Diploma in Finance and B. Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria.

Ifeanyi Aneke

Ifeanyi Aneke is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cloud Clinic Limited - a digital healthcare service company focused on creating the future of healthcare using modern-day digital technology. He has over 15 years of experience working in the technology industry. His work experience spans international information technology and software companies such as Microsoft where he worked as a Cloud Solution Architect covering the Middle East and Africa covering sixty-four (64) countries. He oversaw a select Next Generation High Potential Accounts in the region.

He has worked for several IT and financial service companies and helped them build innovative products.

Mr. Aneke is an alumnus of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP – January 2013) where he represented Nigeria amid other sixteen (16) representatives from countries in the Middle East and Africa in a US Government funded six weeks leadership program and is also vastly experienced in designing and building modern Web and Mobile Applications.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State and he is a Microsoft Certified professional (MCP) since 2007

HRM Eze, Samuel Agunwa Ohiri

HRM Eze, Samuel Agunwa Ohiri is the MD/CEO of HI-Tech Diagnostic Ltd. He is a board Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP), as well as certified by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Medical Technology from Texas Southern University, MT certificate after attending the School of Medical Technology at St Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, USA, Board certified to Practice Clinical Laboratory science in the United States as a Medical Technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

He is a Fellow of the prestigious West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science. He has undergone several technical training in IVD manufacture and has several years of work experience in manufacturing of IVD in the United State of America. From 1990 to 1995, he worked as a Chemistry Department Supervisor for Corning Life Sciences, the world’s largest manufacturer of Diagnostic Test kits and Medical Software.

In 1995, he started his own company, HI-TECH Diagnostic Ltd - a company that distributes medical and scientific products around the world. He is the first African Medical Scientist to develop and produce test kits for the detection of antibodies against the HIV virus in human body fluids. HI-TECH DIAGNOSTICS Ltd, under his leadership became the first indigenous manufacturer of HIV and other diagnostic test kits in Nigeria, and has eleven (11) products certified by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and validated by Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). HI-TECH Diagnostic Ltd provides employment to many Nigerian young Scientists. He is also the Managing Director/CEO of HI-TECH TRADING COMPANY LTD, which distributes Medical, Laboratory & Scientific Equipment, Chemicals and Diagnostic Test Kits to Clients in West Africa, including Shell Oil Company, Chevron and others. This company is also well known around the country for their cutting edge customer service in the area of Servicing & Maintenance of Medical and Laboratory Equipment. He is also the owner of HI-TECH DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES, one of the most equipped and sophisticated medical laboratories in the country.

HRM, Eze, Samuel Agunwa Ohiri has been involved in several community development activities. He served as the President General of Greater Owerri Community, USA, an organization of Nigerians from the old Owerri Province, residing in the United States of America. He is a Knight of St Christopher of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri. He was coronated and recognized by the Imo State government as the Traditional Ruler of Obi- Orodo Kingdom on December 28, 2002. He is the Chairman of Orodo Council of Traditional Rulers; has served as the Chairman of Mbaitoli Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers. He represents South-East Traditional Rulers as their Coordinator in the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria. He has also won several awards and honours, including:

• Outstanding Leadership Award by Nigerian Medical Association, Imo State Branch [2007].
• Distinguished Laboratory Scientist Award by Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Imo State [2011].
• Traditional Ruler of the Year by the NEWNAME Newspaper [2014].
• Grand Patron of South East Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria [2012].
• Nehemiah of Our Time Award by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Orlu [2013].
• Patron of the Anglican Children's Ministry, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Owerri [2002].
• Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution and Selfless Service to Humanity by the Adaoma International Foundation [2011].

Pharm Ijeoma Nwankwo

Ijeoma Nwankwo is a seasoned Pharmacist who graduated from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Public Health expert with almost 2 decades of experience working in various sectors and diverse settings in Nigeria.

Ijeoma has worked extensively in the area of advocacy and creating enabling environment to address the poor health indices of the country. She possesses in-depth knowledge and a wealth of experience in the Nigeria health sector and its policies, especially the private sector, policy framework implementation, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and health systems strengthening; where she works with policy makers and formulators, through advocacy, on the need to use evidence for development of policies and rational decision-making. Ijeoma led her organization to advocate for the review of the National Task Shifting Task Sharing Policy (TSTS) which saw the inclusion of the Community Pharmacists and Patent & Proprietary Medicines Vendors as providers of quality health care services and commodities; supported and worked closely with the National Drug Formulary/Essential Drug List Review Committee to include critical commodities in the Nigeria Essential Medicines List; just to mention a few.

Anchoring her commitment to positive change and working extensively as a consultant and resource person in various capacities with key donors, funders and organisations, she is always aiming to seek out innovative solutions that lead to improvements in access to and quality of healthcare through developing successful partnerships and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. With solid analytical, M&E and problem-solving skills including numerous professional courses under her belt, Ijeoma Nwankwo brings to the fore an utmost sense of responsibility, efficiency and integrity, striving to get the most out of goals towards excellence.

Ijeoma Nwankwo is currently the Senior Programme Officer with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation (PSNF) where she provides the team and organisation with strategic programmatic direction and support.

Prof. Tatfeng Mirabeau

Tatfeng was born in Cameroun, married with 3 children. He had his primary and secondary education in Cameroun and migrated to Nigeria where he had his tertiary education. He attended the University College Hospital, Ibadan where he studied Medical Laboratory Science, obtained a Master of science in Medical Microbiology and a PhD in Immunology from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma. He started his teaching career in the same University before moving to Niger Delta University where he pioneered the establishment of Medical Laboratory Science programme in 2008 and headed the Academic Planning unit of the University from 2012-2014. His interest in the field of Biotechnology started 2001 when he participated in a training on Basic Molecular Biology at IMRAT, UCH, Ibadan. Since then, he has taken several courses and training in Biotechnology within and outside Nigeria namely: Italy, Germany, USA and India.

Tatfeng YM has anchored several workshops on Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics in several universities in Nigeria. His vast experience in Medical Biotechnology was useful during the covid-19 pandemic. He trained several scientists and worked as consultant molecular biologists to several organisations such as Shell Petroleum corporation, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Bayelsa State and Akwa Ibom State governments and many others where he assisted in setting up covid 19 testing centres. Tatfeng YM is a dedicated, academically oriented scientist, he has attended several national and international conferences and has won several awards grants. He has supervised over 300 undergraduate students, 15 master and 6 PhD students. He is widely published with over 60 publications in national and international journals of which the most outstanding are “” Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria” and “Evolution and spread of Plasmodium falciparum mutations associated with resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in Central Africa” published in Nature Communications and Lancet microbes with impact factors or 16.6 and 32.8 respectively.

Tatfeng YM is external examiner in several universities namely: Kwa-Zulu Natal University (KZN) in South Africa, University of Calabar, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Eboniyi State University Abakaliki, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi etc. He has attended several conferences in and outside Nigeria, France, Italy, USA, Australia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania etc. His national and international consultancies include: SPDC, LNG, Akwa Ibom State and Bayelsa State governments in Nigeria and Health Advances in United States of America. He is member of several professional and scientific bodies too many to mention here. He is the winner of the prestigious ’Best Young African Immunologists”” of the South African Immunological Societies in 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa.

A great lover of Music, lawn tennis and long-distance driving. Above all he is a dedicated member of Biotechnology Society of Nigeria.

Dr Kingston Omo-Emmanuel

Dr Kingston Omo-Emmanuel is a Public Health Medical Laboratory Scientist, Health Manager and Logistics and Supply Chain Management Specialist with several years experience in clinical and academic Medical Laboratory practice; design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Hepatitis, TB, HPV and COVID-19 prevention, care and treatment programs, strengthening national laboratory systems, supporting implementation of laboratory quality management system (QMS) and preparation of laboratories for accreditation. His experience also includes supporting laboratory workforce development, increasing laboratory testing capacity in range and volumes through laboratory network optimization, equipment placement using all-inclusive pricing, specimen referrals and networking between laboratories with public health responsibilities and with surveillance and response systems and support for biosafety, biosecurity and laboratory waste management. He had worked on projects funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), US CDC, Global Funds for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria and Canadian International Development Agency in collaboration with government ministries, departments, agencies, technical working groups and task teams, civil societies and the Nigerian team of the African Society of Laboratory Medicine Laboratory Community of practice (LabCoP) and Monitoring & Evaluation Sub-committee.

Dr Omo-Emmanuel is currently the National Clinical Laboratory Manager/Laboratory Lead for the United Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria, where he provides management oversight to implementing partners implementing HIV and TB laboratory programs and support to government on laboratory systems strengthening; new laboratory diagnostics; laboratory quality management systems; biosafety and biosecurity implementation; laboratory commodities forecasting, procurement, distribution and management; laboratory equipment placement, maintenance and calibration; specimen referrals and transportation among facilities; capacity development and training for laboratory work force, amongst others. He was a Senior Technical Officer, Health System Strengthening/Laboratory Services at FHI360 on the Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services, where he provided technical support in coordinating laboratory services delivery for HIV and TB prevention, care and treatment program, capacity building, logistics management of health commodities, laboratory biosafety, health systems strengthening as well as providing mentorship to supported laboratories toward achieving international and national laboratory accreditation and advocacy to government ministries, departments and agencies. Prior to this, he worked with FHI360 as Technical Officer- Health System Strengthening/Laboratory Services, where he provided technical and programmatic support in the implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of laboratory services for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria diagnosis and care and treatment services, logistics management of health commodities, laboratory biosafety, specimen referrals and transportation among laboratories, health systems strengthening and provision of supportive supervision to public, private and faith-based health. He has also worked as Senior Laboratory Associate with Center for Integrated Health Programs and as a Regional Laboratory Advisor with Columbia University Mailman School of Public International Center for AIDS Care & Treatment Program, where he was responsible for quality and effective medical laboratory services delivery through capacity building, institutional system strengthening and infrastructural upgrade at health facilities, specimen referrals among laboratories, coordinating mobile laboratory services outreaches to remote rural areas, implementing a logistics system for quantification and supply of health commodities, support to health facilities on laboratory quality management systems implementation. Kingston was a Program Manager at Canadian International Development Agency-funded Nigeria AIDS Response Fund implemented by Centre for Community & Human Resources Development. Previously, I worked at Abia State University Teaching Hospital Nigeria; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nigeria.

His roles as National Clinical Laboratory Program Manager/Laboratory Lead of the USAID in Nigeria and as Activity Manager for some its portfolio for comprehensive HIV Care and treatment and Key populations projects includes strengthening national laboratory practice and systems, supporting the implementation of the laboratory quality management system (QMS), and preparation of laboratories accreditation; support for external quality assurance/proficiency testing programs; laboratory workforce development, increasing diagnostic testing capacity through laboratory network optimization and networking, HIV viral load, early infant diagnosis, Tuberculosis and COVID-19 equipment placement and maintenance; HIV and TB Drug Resistance surveillance; laboratory commodities and consumables forecasting, procurement and distribution; national laboratory sample referrals; support for Biorisk (Biosafety and Biosecurity) management; laboratory waste management; and laboratory information management system. His role also includes HIV testing services and its quality control and quality assurance; HIV Recent Infection Public Health Surveillance and Data use for prevention response strategy to attain HIV epidemic control in Nigeria; COVID-19 vaccines integration into routine immunization in health facilities and communities, especially among priority groups of elderly, people living with HIV and key populations; COVID-19 bi-directional screening and testing in health facilities and community outreaches; supporting health workers’ training and capacity development; stakeholders’ engagement; national laboratory policy, and strategic plan development; preparation of proficiency testing and quality control panels for the national laboratory network, analysis of PT results from health facilities and generation of performance reports to assist in CQI; integration of services across disease programmes; the development of strategic collaboration initiatives, harmonization and alignment of donor investments, and joint program reviews. In these positions, he has interacted extensively with senior officials of the national government health, finance, and women affairs ministries of Nigeria, through extended periods of duty travel to assess health systems, monitor program performance and conclude agreements on financial and/or technical support. Dr Omo-Emmanuel is a co-chair of USG PEPFAR Nigeria Laboratory Technical Working Group.

Kingston holds a PhD in Clinical Research, a Master of Public Health (MPH), a Master in Health Management (MHM), a Graduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PGDLSCM) and a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS). He is also certified to provide support for Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA), which is a structured quality improvement program that teaches laboratory managers how to implement practical quality management systems in resource- limited settings using available resources through a series of short courses and work-based improvement projects supported by site visits and mentoring to achieve immediate, measurable improvement in laboratories required for national and international laboratory accreditation. He is also a certified Biorisk Manager and WHO trained to support Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) programs in WHO AFRO countries. He has attended several short courses on Implementation Research with a focus on Infectious Diseases, Diagnostics in the Antimicrobial Resistance Response, HIV and TB Drug Resistance Testing; Disease Outbreaks in Low- and Middle-Income Countries; Project Planning and Management; Next Generation Sequencing Bioinformatics; laboratory management; Leadership, Management and Governance, Health Systems Strengthening; Biorisk Management; Global Health Diagnostics, Monitoring and Evaluation and have over 30 publications and abstracts.

Dr Bodunrin Ibitola Osikomaiya

Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya is a consultant Haematologist with special interest in and blood transfusion.

She obtained her medical degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun state and trained as a consultant Hematologist in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. She is a fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians, a fellow of the National Postgraduate College of Medicine, Nigeria and has an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Management from College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital. She is presently pursuing her MSc in Public Health from the University of Suffolk, Ipswich United Kingdom.

Bodunrin has over 17 years’ experience in clinical and laboratory practice in the public and private health sectors in Nigeria; has international training in red cell immunology, blood banking and apheresis; and has served in key positions in various committees and organisations related to blood safety. She is active in clinical research, with her published articles in journals of international and local repute.

To mention a few, Dr Osikomaiya is the Lead Investigator for the Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trial and the Coordinator of the COVID follow up and outpatient clinic during the COVID pandemic. She is a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NSHBT), College of Nigerian Pathologists (CNP), Nigerian Society for Apheresis, Lagos State Laboratory Strengthening Technical Working Group, Coalition of Blood for Africa and Fellow and Institute of Chartered Administrators (FICA).

Bodunrin is presently serving in the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service as the Executive Secretary. She is passionate about the availability and accessibility of blood, a seasoned leader, manager and team player.