Meet Nigerian professor, Ibrahim Abubakar, appointed CEPI CEO

Nigerian epidemiologist Ibrahim Abubakar has been appointed as the new CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The announcement was made by CEPI's board on Friday, following an open recruitment process. Abubakar will officially assume his role in April 2027, joining the organization in March of the same year.

His appointment has been met with praise, particularly from President Bola Tinubu, who hailed him as a distinguished epidemiologist and global health expert, emphasizing Nigeria's increasing role in global health leadership. CEPI, established in 2017, is a global partnership dedicated to financing and coordinating the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.

The organization played a crucial role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by funding the development of several vaccine candidates, which were later deployed globally. Abubakar's academic background is impressive, with qualifications ranging from a medical doctor from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to a PhD from the University of East Anglia.

His research interests include infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health, health services, and clinical sciences. Throughout his career, Abubakar has held significant academic and leadership positions, both in the United Kingdom and globally, including roles at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, and various global health organizations such as the World Health Organisation and Lancet Migration.