Former NCDC Director-General gets international appointment in Switzerland

Dr Adetifa is a seasoned paediatrician and accomplished infectious disease epidemiologist.

During his tenure at the NCDC, he played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s COVID-19 response. He also attracted substantial programme funds, managed significant budgets, and supervised a large team dedicated to combating outbreaks and endemic pathogens.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Dr Adetifa stated, “I am thrilled to join FIND at such a critical juncture for global health and especially for diagnostics. I look forward to leading FIND’s team and collaborating with our global partners to drive diagnostic innovation and ensure these advancements reach those most in need.”

On her part, Dr Ayoade Alakija, Chair of the FIND Board, said: “As FIND embarks on a new and exciting transformative journey, we are excited to welcome Dr Adetifa to the FIND family as he takes on CEO responsibilities.

“His appointment marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first African CEO from the Global South that FIND was established to serve. I am particularly proud to welcome the first African Chief Executive into the Geneva Global Health Campus and the wider ecosystem. Rebalancing power is what will advance health for all, and I remain fully committed to ensuring that global health leadership reflects the diversity of the populations we serve.”

Dr Adetifa’s extensive experience includes work at the national, regional, continental and international levels on Lassa fever, vaccines and immunization, respiratory syncytial virus, malaria, tuberculosis, and health systems. He is also currently a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

Dr Adetifa received his undergraduate medical qualifications from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and completed his paediatric residency at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, with the award of a Fellowship of the West Africa College of Physicians in Paediatrics.

He then went on to obtain an MSc from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, and a PhD (all in Epidemiology) from the University of Amsterdam. He also was an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at LSHTM before his appointment to the NCDC.