The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has extended congratulations to Nigerian epidemiologist, Chikwe Ihekweazu, following his appointment as the Executive Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme.
Ihekweazu, who previously served as the founding Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), now takes over from Irish epidemiologist Mike Ryan in a position critical to managing public health emergencies globally.
The Nigerian government praised Ihekweazu’s appointment, describing it as timely and apt given the current global health challenges. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, commended Ihekweazu’s leadership, noting his exceptional qualities and team-oriented nature. He expressed confidence in Ihekweazu’s ability to lead the WHO’s emergency response efforts effectively.
Pate highlighted the increasing complexity of global health challenges, including pandemics, climate-related health threats, and fragile health systems, which make Ihekweazu’s appointment even more significant. “Chikwe Ihekweazu is an exceptional leader and a loyal team player. I am confident his leadership will significantly bolster global health security and preparedness,” Pate said in the Ministry’s statement.
A Global Leader in Public Health
Chikwe Ihekweazu’s new role marks another milestone in his illustrious career in public health. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa starting in February, succeeding Matshidiso Moeti, who held the position for a decade. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus also expressed his confidence in Ihekweazu’s leadership, emphasizing his vast experience and ability to manage complex health emergencies.
Ihekweazu’s role as Executive Director will involve coordinating WHO’s global health response, particularly in emergency preparedness, epidemic intelligence, and health interventions across various countries. His leadership is expected to strengthen global health systems, enabling more effective and timely responses to health crises.
About Chikwe Ihekweazu
With over 25 years of experience in infectious disease epidemiology and public health leadership, Ihekweazu has worked with various international public health institutions, including the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the UK’s Health Protection Agency, and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
Ihekweazu’s tenure as the Director-General of the NCDC from 2016 to 2021 was a defining period for Nigeria’s infectious disease preparedness. He led efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a key member of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. His work at WHO, where he served as Assistant Director-General and Deputy Executive Director of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme in Geneva, Switzerland, further underscores his extensive global experience.
Ihekweazu has also been instrumental in WHO-led responses to major disease outbreaks worldwide, including the initial COVID-19 mission to China in 2020. His new appointment marks the continuation of his commitment to advancing global public health and emergency response systems.