Dr. Obioma Chijioke-Akaniro B.Sc. MD. M.Sc. MPH. PHD. FAPH

Dr Obioma Chijioke-Akaniro. is a Pediatrician, Public Health professional, and Scientist, internationally recognized for her deep expertise in Monitoring and Evaluation, innovative data analytics, programme quality improvement and health policy development.

She serves as a Deputy Director and Monitoring & Evaluation Manager at the Federal Ministry of Health, where she provides strategic support for National health programmes conceptualization, operationalization and scale-up of evidence-based strategies.

Her work focuses on data ecosystem where she leverages on merged data syatem such as utilizing fintech, health tech, and agrotech analytics to drive improved health care delivery and strengthened health outcomes. The effect of good data use, added to other strategic collaborations with partners led to Nigeria’s TB surveillance improvement from a treatment coverage of 24% in 2018 to over 80% in 2025.

She’s is a global health strategist and her dedication to public service has earned her the title “multiple award winner” having recorded numerous national and international recognitions, including the prestigious Presidential National Honours Award conferred by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the United Nations Model Award in Washington, DC, USA, where she emerged as the Most Distinguished Delegate; the Honourable Minister of Health Award for Best Staff; a European Award from Ukraine for community development; the Federal Capital Territory Honourable Minister’s Award for xommunity services, the Cepheid France Award for Innovation; the Best Graduating Student award, most hardworking student award, the Royal father commendation in Abuja, the Red Cross Society of Nigeria commendation, the School board commendation for service, the Comptroller general of Nigeria Customs service commendation and others. Added to these are peak moments of spotlight which includes featuring in several media event and online platforms as key speaker or profile of the moment.

She has displayed excellence and accountability to both donors and partners by aptly interpreting objectives and goals of different initiatives, showcasing transparency in project delivery, articulating gains and impact for grants or resources within the health sector and provides supporting environment for implementers.

Dr. Obioma is the innovator of the Maximum Yield Index, a data-driven formula designed to optimize intervention-redistribution and can estimate programme coverage in such a way that enhances efficiency, visibility and equity in health care service delivery. A phenomenon used during the global health crisis on funding landscape which was disseminated at WHO Europe Regional office and documented by Devex.

She serves as secretary of the Operational Research Task Team and leads the development of the National Tuberculosis Strategic Plan, programme surveys and evaluations. Dr Obioma runs a free research methodology tutorial, a platform to build the capacity of early career African researchers

Dr Obioma founded GEWHD Foundation in 2005, an NGO involved in empowering women and girls with a mantra that “educating a girl child is key to reducing maternal mortality”. She has directly ensured scholarships for children from low socio-economic class, taught part-time at schools in underserved communities and sits on the board of four non-governmental organizations where she drives change.

Dr Obioma is a member of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria. A fellow of the West Africa Institute of Public Health and has published several manuscripts which is her contribution to the body of knowledge.

DrObioma Chijioke-Akaniro

RESEARCH INTERESTS