Tinubu congratulates Nigerian professor appointed as CEPI CEO

President Bola Tinubu on Friday congratulated Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar on his appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

He described the appointment as a significant recognition of Nigeria’s growing contribution to global health leadership.

Tinubu conveyed his felicitations in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled, ‘President Tinubu congratulates Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar on appointment as new Chief Executive Officer of CEPI.’

The President described Abubakar as a distinguished Nigerian epidemiologist and global health expert, currently serving as Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London.

Abubakar will join CEPI in March 2027 and formally assume the role of CEO in April 2027.

The presidency said he brings to the position more than three decades of experience spanning medicine, infectious disease epidemiology, public health research, policy and international health leadership.

Tinubu noted Abubakar’s longstanding contributions to global health, including his service as Director of the UCL Institute for Global Health, Dean of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, and his involvement in international efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response.

“The president believes Prof. Abubakar’s appointment is a significant recognition of Nigeria’s growing contribution to global health leadership and a testament to the excellence, expertise and commitment of Nigerian professionals working on the international stage,” the statement read.

The president commended CEPI for its commitment to international collaboration, scientific innovation and equitable access to life-saving vaccines and other tools needed to confront emerging health threats.

He also paid tribute to the outgoing CEO, Dr. Richard Hatchett, for his leadership of the organisation since its establishment in 2017, and welcomed the board’s decision to ensure a carefully managed transition ahead of Abubakar’s assumption of office.

Tinubu expressed confidence that Abubakar would bring exceptional expertise, vision and leadership to CEPI as it implements its 2027-2031 strategy and advances the global ambition of responding rapidly to future pandemics.

The president also wished Abubakar success in his new role and assured him of Nigeria’s continued support for international partnerships that promote global health security, scientific cooperation and equitable access to vaccines.

CEPI, founded in 2017, is a global partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil society organisations that finances and coordinates the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.

It played a significant role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic by funding several vaccine candidates that were later deployed worldwide.