Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa has been appointed as the Chief Transformation Officer at FIND, a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating center focused on laboratory strengthening and diagnostic technology evaluation. He will also serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organization.
Dr. Adetifa is a seasoned pediatrician and infectious disease epidemiologist, previously holding the position of Director-General and CEO of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (NCDC). During his time at the NCDC, he was instrumental in Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully attracting significant funding and managing large teams to combat infectious diseases.
Expressing his excitement about 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.”
Dr. Ayoade Alakija, Chair of the FIND Board, emphasized the importance of this appointment, noting that Dr. Adetifa is the first African CEO from the Global South to lead FIND. He highlighted the need for global health leadership to reflect the diversity of the populations served, stating, “Rebalancing power is what will advance health for all.”
With extensive experience in public health, Dr. Adetifa has worked on various health issues, including Lassa fever, malaria, tuberculosis, and vaccine development. He is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Dr. Adetifa obtained his medical degree from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and completed his pediatric residency at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. He furthered his education with a Master’s degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Amsterdam. Prior to his role at the NCDC, he was an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at LSHTM.
As he steps into his new position, Dr. Adetifa is expected to lead FIND through a transformative phase, focusing on enhancing access to diagnostic testing globally and ensuring that advancements in healthcare reach underserved populations.
