Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has appointed a public health expert, Dr. Obinna Ebirim as Senior Special Assistant on Health of Adolescents and Young People. This is in a move aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Nigeria’s youth, and emphasize the administration’s commitment to the health and development of young Nigerians, as a key aspect of its national agenda.
Dr. Ebirim will work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address critical health issues affecting adolescents and young adults. His focus areas include mental health, alcohol and substance abuse prevention, tobacco use, adolescent vaccination programs, and combating communicable and non-communicable diseases such as HIV, STIs, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
These efforts will adhere to Nigeria’s national health guidelines and the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
With over a decade of experience in public health advocacy, health promotion, primary healthcare system strengthening, and program management, Dr. Ebirim has collaborated with various local and international organizations.
His experience includes leading national immunization and primary healthcare strengthening programs across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025), and working with international development partners to address public health challenges.
Dr. Ebirim’s previous roles also include serving as Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Health in Imo State. In his new pro bono position, he will volunteer a few hours each week to support the Minister while continuing his public health engagements.
This appointment aims to address the health challenges faced by young people in Nigeria, helping them lead healthier and more productive lives, thereby contributing to the nation’s overall growth and prosperity.
