Ifedayo Adetifa, former Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has been appointed Chief Transformation Officer of FIND, a global non-profit organisation that “accelerates equitable access to reliable diagnostics worldwide.”
The organization has offices in Cape Town, South Africa; Geneva, Switzerland; Hanoi, Vietnam; Nairobi, Kenya; and New Delhi, India.
The company disclosed Adetifa's appointment on its website on Thursday, saying he will also serve as its chief executive.
Mr Adetifa, a paediatrician and infectious disease epidemiologist, was appointed Director-General of NCDC in September 2021 and handed over to Jide Idris in February 2024.
FIND Announcement, Expectations
According to FIND, Mr Adetifa brings “extensive experience and a proven track record in global health and health security”, particularly in infection prevention and control (IPC).
“During his tenure at NCDC, he played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s response to COVID-19.
“He also attracted significant funding for programs, managed significant budgets, and oversaw a large team dedicated to combating outbreaks and endemic pathogens,” the statement said.
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“As he takes on his new role, Dr. Adetifa is poised to lead FIND through this transformative time and advance its mission to innovate and expand access to diagnostic testing globally, ensuring that those who need it most are not left behind.”
In his comment, Mr. Adetifa expressed his excitement about his new role, saying: “I am delighted to be joining FIND at such a critical time for global health, especially for diagnostics. I look forward to leading the FIND team and collaborating with our global partners to drive innovation in diagnostics and ensure these advances reach those most in need.”
FIND Board Chairman Ayoade Alakija stressed the importance of the appointment.
“As FIND embarks on an exciting and transformative new journey, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Adetifa to the FIND family, who will assume responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer,” said Alakija.
“His appointment marks an important milestone as he becomes the first African CEO from the Global South that FIND was created to serve.
“I am particularly proud to welcome the first African CEO to the Geneva Global Health Campus and the broader 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.”
About Adetifa
Mr. Adetifa's experience includes work at national, regional, continental and international levels on Lassa fever, vaccines and immunization, respiratory syncytial virus, malaria, tuberculosis and health systems.
He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
He received his medical degree from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He completed his pediatric residency at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, with the award of a West African College of Physicians Fellowship in Pediatrics.
She obtained her MSc and PhD in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the University of Amsterdam.
He was also Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM before being appointed Director General of NCDC.