Who We Are

Dr Omobosola Akinsete

Chair of the task force Consultant Adult Infectious Disease Physician
HealthPartners Medical Group ,Assistant Professor Infectious Disease University of Minnesota

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Prof Stephen Obaro

Co-Chair of the Taskforce. Professor and Consultant Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician University of Alabama

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Dr Jide Idris

MBBS, MD, MPH, is the 3rd Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

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Prof Rebecca Soremekun

Professor of Pharmacy Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos Nigeria

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Prof Adebowale Adekoya

Professor of medicine and Nephrology, LASUTH
Director of Clinical Services and training

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Dr Tokunbo
Shitta bey

CEO, DUCHESS International Hospital King's College London, U. of London Nigeria

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Dr Tochi J Okwor

Head of National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Coordinator at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

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Dr Adedamola Dada

Orthopaedic Surgeon
CEO, Federal Medical Center EbuteMetta Lagos

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Dr Nubwa Medugu

Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, Nile University of Nigeria, National Hospital Abuja

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Dr Temitope Ilori

Director General at National Agency for the Control of AIDS National Agency for the Control of AIDS Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria Contact info

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Dr bernard Ebruke

Paediatrician and Epidemiologist,, Country Director for Research at the International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN).

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Mrs Hamdalat Bolajoko

Global Fund Technical Advisor for Laboratory Systems National Agency for the Control of AIDS Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics and African Society of Laboratory Medicine Abuja

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Laxmikant Chavan

World Health Organization Country lead on
Nigeria Communicable Diseases, Anti-Microbial Resistance, One Health, Health Security

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Dr. Omobosola Akinsete is a dedicated physician and a key member of the Nigerian Antimicrobial Stewardship Taskforce. She has been an internal medicine and adult Infectious Disease physician in the United States of America for 30  years . She graduated from Medical school at the University of Lagos, and has a masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins school of Public Health. 

She did her Internal Medicine training at a Brown University hospital and her fellowship in Infectious Diseases  at the University of Minnesota where she is an associate professor. She has worked with the National Institutes of Health and Howard University a a coordinator for the Human Genome Project among other projects, she is a frequent public speaker and contributor to different types of media. She loves to advocate for healthcare in minority populations. She  has a lot of experience with  patients and health care providers on antimicrobial stewardship in her institution  HealthPartners in Minnesota U.S.A. Her expertise in the field of Infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship and her passion to improve health care in her home country will contribute significantly to the fight against antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria. Dr. Akinsete’s work with the taskforce focuses on leadership of the taskforce as chairperson and national coordinator, working closely with NCDC leadership, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health, stakeholders, and funding partners, and helping with capacity building of standardized antimicrobial stewardship and infectious disease educational programs. She will also use her expertise to guide providers and HealthCare institutions  on the ground . Her commitment to improving antimicrobial use and patient safety is invaluable to the nation’s public health efforts. 

Stephen Obaro MBBS, FWACP, MRCP(UK),
FRCPCH, FAAP, PhD, FIDSA, FPIDSA is
Professor of Pediatrics, Director of International Pediatric Research Program and Adjunct Professor with the Department of Microbiology and Pathology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He obtained his basic medical training at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he commenced his postgraduate training in Pediatrics before relocating to the United Kingdom.

In addition to further training in clinical pediatrics, he obtained a PhD in Immunology at Imperial College, University of London. Upon completion of his clinical and graduate training in pediatrics and immunology, he worked with the UK Medical Research Council | Research Laboratories in The Gambia, as Head of Field Station where his team established surveillance program for pneumococcal disease in children that contributed substantive data to the formulation of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for developing countries and the understanding of the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease in children. He obtained additional graduate training in the US in general pediatrics at Pittsburgh Children Hospital and pediatric infectious disease fellowship at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. He has established field studies in Nigeria to understand the epidemiology of bacteremic syndromes in children and the risk factors associated with these infections, through funding support from the National Institutes for Health and the Bill and Melinda Gates rouncation. He is a trustee and co-rounder of International roundation acainst intecuous. Diseases in Nigeria (IFAIN), a non- governmental, not-for-profit organization that has established a platform for multidisciplinary projects in infectious disease and training for graduate students. The IFAIN laboratory network is supported research projects in Liberia, Ghana through the Joint West Africa Research Group (JWARG) and Rwanda. He is currently an MPl on the comoatuna Anumicrodial res stance in Atrical (CAMRA) project.

Dr Jide Idris MBBS, MD, MPH, is the 3rd Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). He is a distinguished healthcare leader with over three decades of experience in medical practice, health system administration and management, consulting, and research. He has played a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the public healthcare landscape in Nigeria steering the largest subnational health system for almost two decades. Dr Idris’s comprehensive background spanning medical practice, healthcare policy design, and implementation has seen him pioneer several health sector reforms with local and international collaborators.

Nigeria. His unwavering commitment to advancing public health and healthcare excellence underscores his invaluable contributions to the health sector in Nigeria and beyond.

Rebecca 0. Soremekun is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of pharmacy and public health, with a notable focus on medication adherence,
diabetes management, and drug use patterns in Nigeria. Her extensive
academic career includes significant affiliations with the University of Lagos, where she contributed to various researd initiatives from 2016 to 2023, and the We African Postgraduate College of
Pharmacists, albeit for a brief period in 2019.

Soremekun’s research has been pivotal it addressing critical health issues within th Nigerian context. Her recent publications reflect a commitment to improving patier outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. Noteworthy studies include investigations into the impact of pharmacist-led care on glycaemic contro in patients with type 2 diabetes and the acceotabilitu of donating biolocical samples for research among individuals living with HIV. These contributions underscore her dedication to enhancing healthcare practices and patient experiences. In addition to her academic roles, Soremekun has been involved in various research projects that explore the prevalence and perception of drug use among students and the quality of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria. Her work has garnered support from prestigious organizations such as the Wellcome Trust and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, further highlighting her influence in the field. With a career that bridges academia and practical healthcare applications, Rebecca O. Soremekun continues to be a vital voice in pharmacy research, advocating for improved health outcomes and evidence- based prachces in Nigeria and beyond.

Experienced Senior Consultant Physician/Nephrologist with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry, both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Skilled in Epidemiology, Emergency Medicine, Public Speaking, Healthcare Information Technology (HIT), and Healthcare Management. Strong education professional with a Fellowship in Nephrology, Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from London, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education focused in clinical Transplantation from University of Liverpool. Prof. Adekoya also has a PhD in Nephrology from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Established in 2021, Duchess International Hospital is a “brain gain” project and 100-bed multispecialist hospital facility situated in the heart of Ikeja in Lagos, Nigeria, within a few minutes of the local and international airports and two hours from most major capital cities across West Africa. In 2024, the Duchess received the prestigious “tertiary healthcare facility of the year” award, based on a nationwide polling of citizens and healthcare consumers across the country.

The aim of the Duchess is to reverse medical tourism by delivering the highest standards of care, using the most advanced technology and treatments to give our clients the “fastest, most convenient access” to the best medical expertise available anywhere in the world.

Over two decades experience in clinical, management and consultancy positions in the UK NHS and at the cutting-edge of exciting healthcare development projects in Nigeria; and currently CEO of the Duchess International Hospital since inception in 2021. A Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP). Postgraduate alumnus of King’s College, London and Cranfield University School of Management (MBA). I am a keen student of history, international politics, medical ethics and law.

Dr. Tochi Okwor is the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) & Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Programme Coordinator at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). She also chairs Nigeria’s National AMR Coordination Committee (AMRCC) and has over 20 years of experience in public health.

Dr. Okwor has played a pioneering role in the institutionalisation of AMR and IPC in Nigeria through her involvement in policy development, human resources mapping, technical content development and resource mobilization. In her current role as the National AMR and IPC Programme Coordinator, Dr. Okwor leads Nigeria’s efforts to convene a One Health Governance group to coordinate Nigeria’s AMR control activities. She developed the first strategy aimed at the institutionalization of IPC in Nigeria using a phased approach to set up and support IPC committees and teams at the state and health facility levels. This ‘Turn Nigeria Orange’ strategy is Nigeria’s official national IPC programme, designed in alignment with WHO core components for an IPC programme. Under her leadership as Chair of Nigeria’s AMRCC she has overseen the establishment of antibiotic stewardship programmes at health facilities in Nigeria and is determined to address access issues in the country.

She also leads the IPC Pillar of Nigeria’s COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre. In this role, she rapidly pulled together a multi-partner, multi-sector, and multi-agency team to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Nigerian health facilities and ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers as they interact. She has been on many national and international committees and is currently Co-chair of the WHO Monkeypox Clinical Management and IPC Guideline Development Group, and a member of the WHO COVID-19 and Ebola Virus Disease Guidelines Development Group of experts. She also Co-Chairs the IPC Technical Working Group of the Africa Task Force for Novel Coronavirus.

Dr. Okwor is a graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria with an MPH from the University of Lagos, a Master’s in Occupational Medicine from the University of Manchester and a Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Control from the University of Essex. She is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

Adedamola Dada was born in Ikeja, Lagos State, and hails from Ijero Ekiti in Ekiti State. His early education laid a strong foundation for his future achievements. He began his academic journey at Chapel Nursery/Primary School, GRA, Ilorin, in 1981. He then attended Federal Government College, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1988, where he excelled in his studies, passing the SSCE with eight distinctions. In 1989, he gained admission to the University of Ilorin to pursue his higher education at the College of Health Sciences, graduating in 1997. This solid educational background equipped him with the knowledge and skills that would later define his distinguished career in the medical field. Driven by a passion for orthopedic and trauma surgery, Dr Dada advanced his medical expertise through postgraduate fellowships from the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College.

Beyond his medical expertise, Dr. Dada sought advanced training in these areas, extending his quest for knowledge beyond Nigeria’s borders to have a career grasp of healthcare administration and hospital management. He trained at prestigious institutions such as the Anthony Berkeley Teaching Hospital in Clermont, France, and the University Hospital of Basel in Switzerland. Additionally, he gained practical experience at the Sancheti Institute for Orthopedics and Rehabilitation College of Physiotherapy in Pune, India.

Dr. Nubwa Medugu is a distinguished medical professional and researcher based in Nigeria, currently serving as the Head of the Department, Pathology Coordinator, Senior Lecturer, and Senior Consultant Clinical Microbiologist at Nile University of Nigeria. With a robust background in laboratory medicine, medical microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases, Dr. Medugu passionately explores the intricate dynamics of infectious diseases. Her primary focus lies in multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales, and her ongoing research delves into the transmission dynamics of these resistant strains, aiming to develop targeted prevention strategies. She is currently investigating potential one-health sources for human infections. Driven by a profound commitment to improving global and local health outcomes, her research extends to the vertical transmission of infectious agents, specifically studying maternal colonization with extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae and Group B Streptococcus in Nigeria. Dr. Medugu’s dedication underscores her vision to advance one health principles on both a local and global scale.

In addition to her academic achievements, including an MSc in Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, she holds the prestigious EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship, West African College of Physicians Fellowship and several professional memberships. Dr. Medugu’s leadership roles exemplifies her commitment to research excellence and academic goals. Beyond her scientific pursuits, she actively contributes to community development as a trustee for charities is the curator of educational content on @nigerianmicrobiologist, showcasing her holistic approach to healthcare and education.

Dr. Temitope Ilori was appointed as the new Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) by President Bola Tinubu. The appointment was announced in a statement signed by President Tinubu’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale on March 14, 2024.

Dr. Ilori before her appointment was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and a Consultant Family Physician to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Through her previous appointments as the Commissioner for Health in Osun State and Chairperson of the Osun State Agency on Control of HIV/AIDS, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a commitment to public health initiatives. This has also been consistent with her impressive academic achievements, including being the best graduating Fellow of the Faculty of Family Medicine, West African College of Physicians in 2012.

Dr Bernard Ebruke, Paediatrician and Epidemiologist, currently serves as Country Director for Research at the International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN). He has significant experience in the design and implementation of clinical research studies and program support within and outside Africa. In his current role, Dr Ebruke has coordinated the set-up and implementation of surveillance programs in different parts of Nigeria, including the characterization of resistant bacterial isolates identified in febrile children. With onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Ebruke coordinated the set-up and implementation of support for molecular diagnostic services to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in implementing the country’s COVID response plan. 

Additionally, Dr Ebruke has coordinated capacity building programmes and research studies on sickle cell disease in Nigeria. He served as IFAIN lead and co-investigator in research studies on Genetic Predictors of Stroke in Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria and the Mobile Device Support for Malaria and Sickle Cell Disease Care in Nigeria. Recently, Dr Ebruke has served as technical lead on the Fleming Fund Country Grant, responsible for coordinating the support to establish and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programmes across tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. Prior to his current role, Dr Ebruke served as Research Manager at the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) The Gambia Unit, coordinating several research studies including the Gates-funded, multi-country, Pneumonia Etiology Research of Child Health (PERCH) study.

Mrs. Hamdalat Bolajoko

Technical Advisor

GlobalFund Technical Advisor – Laboratory Systems (C19RM/HIV Grant)
Organization – National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (RSSH – C19RM PMU) • Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics and African Society of Laboratory Medicine

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Dr. Laxmikant Chavan is the  Technical and Coordinator for One Health, WHO Nigeria. He has extensive Professional public health experience (community, district, provincial, national, regional, international) in Global Health, Epidemiology of communicable, emerging, tropical, epidemic-prone diseases and Health System Strengthening, One Health, Partnership, outbreaks.

Worked with United Nations and partnered with CDC-Africa, ESPEN, USAID, CDC, Indian Council of Medical Research, National AIDS Control Organization, and Health Care System of India and African countries.

He has worked as  Team Leader; Communicable Diseases & AMR to ensure disease control through multi-disease integrated and coordinated approach in HIV, Tuberculosis, STI, Hepatitis, Neglected Tropical Diseases as well as Health Emergencies and Antimicrobial Resistance..