Ifedayo M. O Adetifa Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa is a paediatrician, accomplished infectious diseases epidemiologist, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, public health leader, and immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control & Prevention. His expertise spans paediatrics, infectious diseases epidemiology, and vaccine epidemiology. He has graduate degrees (MSc and PhD) in epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine and the University of Amsterdam respectively. He completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria followed by a residency in Paediatrics and Child Health at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital leading to a Fellowship (in
Paediatrics) of the West Africa College of Physicians. He also trained at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Mulago Hospital, Uganda and at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp.
He has made significant contributions to public health and research in his career through roles in Nigeria, The Gambia, United Kingdom, and Kenya. He has held positions such as Research Clinician/Paediatrician, then Clinical Epidemiologist at the UK MRC Research Council Unit-The Gambia, and as Clinical Epidemiologist at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. Dr. Adetifa’s work is recognized globally, evident in his membership in various professional societies and receipt of prestigious awards like the Heinz Fellowship of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Medical Research Council/DFID African Research Leader Fellowship.
Dr. Adetifa’s research interests are broad, focusing on the epidemiology of infectious diseases and vaccine policy. His numerous publications in high-impact journals reflect his commitment to advancing public health knowledge. He also actively engages in advisory roles at national, continental, and international levels, contributing his expertise to WHO panels and global health initiatives. He is currently a Commissioner for the Lancet Commission on 21st Century Global Threats to Health and was a Commissioner for the Lancet Nigeria Commission.
A leader in his field, Dr. Adetifa is known for his excellent communication and teamworking skills, thriving in multicultural environments, and leading with innovation and insight. His academic involvement includes mentorship, teaching, and facilitation, highlighting his dedication to nurturing the next generation of public health experts.