Geneva, Switzerland – 08/22/2024
FIND is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as Chief Transformation Officer. Dr. Adetifa, who will also serve as Executive Director, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in global health and health security, particularly in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
Dr Adetifa, a seasoned pediatrician and accomplished infectious disease epidemiologist, previously served as the Director-General and Executive Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). During his tenure at the NCDC, he played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s response to COVID-19. He also attracted substantial funding for programs, managed large budgets, and oversaw a large team dedicated to combating epidemic and endemic pathogens.
Expressing his excitement for his new role, Dr Adetifa said: “I am delighted to be joining FIND at such a critical time for global health and particularly for diagnostics. I look forward to leading the FIND team and collaborating with our global partners to drive diagnostic innovation and ensure these advances reach those who need them most.”
Dr Ayoade Alakija, Chair of the FIND Board of Directors, highlighted the significance of the appointment: “As FIND embarks on a new and exciting journey of transformation, we are delighted to welcome Dr Adetifa to the FIND family as he assumes the responsibilities of CEO. His appointment marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first African CEO from the Global South that FIND was created to serve. I am particularly proud to welcome the first African Executive Director to the Geneva Global Health Campus and the broader ecosystem. Rebalancing power is what will advance health for all, and I remain fully committed to ensuring that global health leadership reflects the diversity of the populations we serve.”
Dr Adetifa’s extensive experience includes work at national, regional, continental and international levels on Lassa fever, vaccines and immunization, respiratory syncytial virus, malaria, tuberculosis and health systems. He is also currently a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Dr Adetifa obtained his undergraduate medical qualifications from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and completed his residency in paediatrics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos with the award of a West Africa College of Physicians Fellowship in Paediatrics. He subsequently obtained a Master of Science degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London and a PhD (all in Epidemiology) from the University of Amsterdam. He was also an Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM prior to his appointment to the NCDC.
As he takes on his new role, Dr. Adetifa is poised to lead FIND through this transformative period and advance its mission to innovate and expand access to diagnostic testing globally, ensuring those who need it most are not left behind.
About FIND
FIND accelerates equitable access to reliable diagnostics worldwide. We work to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk of preventable and treatable diseases, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable and resilient health systems.
In partnership with countries, WHO and other global health agencies, we advance global health security and universal health coverage. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Assessment. For more information, please visit www.finddx.org.
