The Scientific RoundTable Series
A gathering of bright minds across Nigeria’s medical and public health sectors
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A gathering of bright minds across Nigeria’s medical and public health sectors
The Scientific Roundtable is an initiative of the Centre for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP), held annually as a gathering of bright minds across Nigeria’s medical and public health sectors. It provides a platform for doctors, researchers, policymakers, and health advocates to exchange ideas, share discoveries, and showcase innovations that advance health and wellness nationwide.
This creates an opportunity for groundbreaking work to be recognized, validated, and translated into practical solutions that can improve the quality of care nationwide. The Scientific Roundtable Series is more than just a conference; it is a collaborative space designed to connect research with practice. Through keynote presentations and detailed panel discussions, participants will explore innovative ideas that can be scaled for greater impact. By fostering mentorship, promoting dialogue across different demographics, and incorporating perspectives from related fields like technology and policy, the Roundtable demonstrates CIHP’s dedication to building a healthier Nigeria through innovation and shared responsibility.
The theme for this year is “Reimagining Health Systems: Innovation, Ownership, Quality, and Sustainability at a Time of Global Transition”, which responds to the pressing need for resilient and adaptive health systems in the face of global health, economic, and social shifts. The Scientific Roundtable will convene policymakers, development partners, health practitioners, and community stakeholders to examine the evolving landscape of healthcare and to chart a path forward for sustainable, people-centered health systems.
Venue: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory | Nigeria
Date: 28 October, 2025
Keynote Speaker
Distinguished Professor of Community Medicine & Public Health, UNIMED
Adesegun Fatusi is a Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health, recognized for his leadership in adolescent and reproductive health. He served as UNFPA Adviser, Provost at OAU, Director at the Guttmacher Institute, and Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED. He chairs Nigeria’s National Adolescent Health Technical Working Group and serves on WHO’s RMNCAH Technical Advisory Group for Africa.
Moderator
Global Health Strategist & CEO, Indigo Global
Dr. Chris Obanubi is a Global Health Strategist with over 20 years of experience designing integrated health systems across Africa. As CEO of Indigo Global, he advances digital innovations for sustainable health and development. His leadership with CDC, USAID, and CIHP has strengthened national HIV, TB, and primary health programs.
Panelist
Public Health Physician & Social Impact Expert
Dr. Kunle Kakanfo is a seasoned public health physician and global social impact leader with 15 years of experience. He led multi-country health innovations, expanding HIV treatment coverage across Nigeria and pioneering AI4SID, an AI-powered TB detection tool.
Managing Partner/CEO of Poliwonk Consultants Limited, UK
Public Health Physician, Global Health and Development Expert, and Public Policy Entrepreneur
Dr. Oluwole Odutolu is a Public Health Physician, Global Health and Development Expert, and Public Policy Entrepreneur. He currently serves as the Managing Partner/CEO of Poliwonk Consultants Limited, UK. He retired from the World Bank Group in 2022, where he served as Senior Health Specialist and Results-Based Financing (RBF) Coordinator within the Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Group Practice and Global Financing Facility (GFF). He led multiple innovative health care delivery projects targeting primary health care and reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health with a focus on service delivery, promoting accountability, reducing social inequality, and improving health outcomes for children and women in marginalized and underserved communities in Nigeria and other countries in the African region. He published very widely in peer-reviewed journals, co-edited two books on AIDS in Nigeria, and contributed chapters to books. He has continuing interests in human capital development, social policy, equity, and financial inclusion.
Medical Doctor and public health expert
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA)
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba is the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA). A Medical Doctor and public health expert, she specializes in health systems strengthening and financing. She pioneered Nigeria’s first state-owned telemedicine platform, “EkoTelemed”, and expanded access via virtual health booths and health plans like the Diaspora and Jaara Plans. Under her leadership, LASHMA won multiple national awards in 2023 and 2025 for innovation and service delivery. Recognized as the "Health Service Charter Champion," Dr. Zamba is a visionary advocate for equitable, accessible, and quality healthcare.
Global health, systems strengthening, and policy reform
Senior Nigeria Health Policy & Implementation Lead for Brink Innovation - The Oxygen CoLab
Dr. Adewale Oluwaseun Akinjeji is the Senior Nigeria Health Policy & Implementation Lead for Brink Innovation - The Oxygen CoLab, a global initiative funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that strengthens sustainable access to medical oxygen across low- and middle-income countries. He brings over 15 years of experience in global health, systems strengthening, and policy reform across Africa and Southeast Asia. His work focuses on building resilient, equitable health systems through evidence-based policymaking, market integration, and innovative financing. A PhD candidate at the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), his research explores maternal and child health service utilization and the integration of community and facility-level care in Nigeria.
Health Systems Strengthening Expert (HSDF)
CEO of DGI Consult
Dr. Gafar Alawode is a distinguished public health leader and CEO of DGI Consult, with extensive professional experience managing major health system strengthening projects across Nigeria, Liberia, and Uganda. His impactful career includes leadership roles on numerous donor-funded initiatives, such as serving as Chief of Party for USAID and Country Director for Health Policy Plus. As a key architect of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) innovations, he has also advised Commonwealth Health Ministers and led significant health policy research. Dr. Alawode is a medical doctor and holds a Master's in Tropical Medicine, complemented by executive training from Harvard and fellowships in public health.
Consultant, Family Physician, Public Health Specialist
Honourable Commissioner for Health in Rivers State
Dr. Adaeze Oreh is a Consultant Family Physician, Public Health Specialist, and Honourable Commissioner for Health in Rivers State. She previously served as the Pioneer Country Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics for Nigeria’s National Blood Service. A Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme, Aspen Institute, and several Royal Societies, she is an advocate for respectful, quality healthcare and universal health coverage. Dr. Oreh is a recipient of the 2021 Montegut Global Scholars Award by the World Organization of Family Doctors and the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation and has received multiple international awards for her work on COVID-19 and blood services and has published extensively on health systems and policy.
Global health systems strategist and pharmacist
Managing Partner at the Access-Centric and Sustainability Foundation (ASF)
Pharm. Tunji Odelola is a global health systems strategist and pharmacist with over 20 years of experience. As Managing Partner at the Access-Centric and Sustainability Foundation (ASF), he leads initiatives to enhance access to medicines and health system resilience. He previously held senior roles with USAID in Nigeria and Uganda, managing large-scale health portfolios and leading national reforms in supply chains and health financing. His work has averted national medicine stockouts, secured significant cost efficiencies, and advanced local manufacturing. Odelola holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Pharmacy and is recognized for his collaborative, evidence-based approach to health systems transformation.
| Time | Activity | Facilitator/Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 – 08:45 | Arrival and Registration | All |
| 09:00 – 09:10 | National Anthem | All |
| 09:10 – 09:20 | Welcome Address | Dr. Bolanle Oyeledun – CEO, CIHP |
| 09:20 – 09:45 | Goodwill Messages | NASCP, NACA, CDC, and Other Partners |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Overview of SRT | Dr. Francis Ogirima – Director, Clinical Services Unit, CIHP |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Keynote Address: Reimagining Health Security and Systems in a Time of Global Transition | Prof. Adesegun Fatusi |
| 10:45 – 10:50 | Transition Time – Set up Poll/Icebreaker | MC |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | Icebreaker – Live Poll & Energizer Activity | MC |
| 11:00 – 11:10 | Transition Time – Biography & Seating Panelists | MC |
| Panel Discussion 1: Innovation & Ownership – The Future of Health Systems: Pathways for Nigeria and Beyond | ||
| 11:10 – 11:50 | Panel Discussion 1 | Moderator: Dr. Chris Obanubi |
| 11:50 – 12:00 | Fireside Dialogue 1 – Q&A with Panelists | MC |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Tea Break – Networking & Refreshments | All |
| 12:30 – 12:40 | Fun Energizer – Interactive Quiz & Word Trivia Giveaway | MC |
| 12:40 – 1:10 | REACHOUT Project – Closing the Immunization Gaps Through Cost-Effective Methodologies to Reach Zero Dose | Dr. Carlo Federici – REACHOUT Central Principal Investigator |
| 1:10 – 1:20 | Transition Time – Biography & Seating Next Panelists | MC |
| Panel Discussion 2: Quality, Equity & Sustainability in a Time of Global Transition | ||
| 1:20 – 2:10 | Panel Discussion 2 | Moderator: Pharm. Tunji Odelola |
| 2:10 – 2:20 | Fireside Dialogue 2 – Q&A with Panelists | MC |
| 2:20 – 2:30 | Transition Time – Recap of Panel 1 & 2 Discussions So Far | Rapporteurs |
| 2:30 – 2:45 | SRT 5.0 Spotlight | MC |
| 2:45 – 3:00 | Building Partnerships | USC |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Lunch & Networking | |
| 4:00 – 4:10 | Transition – NGT Prep | NGT Team |
| 4:10 – 4:50 | SRT Evaluation (NGT Session) | NGT Team |
| 4:50 – 5:00 | Vote of Thanks | Dr. Collins Imarhiagbe – Director, Strategic Information, CIHP |
| 5:00 – 5:30 | Transition Time – Preparation for Cocktail | All |
| 5:30 – 7:30 | Awards Ceremony & Cocktail Reception – Recognition of Contributors, Networking, Music, Photo Booth, SRT Monograph, Performance | All |
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