Prof. Oyewale Tomori, renowned Nigerian virologist, has congratulated Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Tomori, however, cautioned against assuming that the appointment would automatically benefit Nigeria.
Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, he said Abubakar was appointed to lead a global institution because of his competence and experience, rather than because he was Nigerian.
The Virlogist said Nigeria must take deliberate steps to translate the appointment into tangible and lasting gains for the country.
He said Abubakar’s appointment, despite the challenges associated with Nigeria’s global reputation and perception, was an acknowledgement of his sterling qualities, relevant skills and academic excellence.
“Our reputation and perception of Nigeria must have been one major obstacle he had to overcome.
“That he got the job despite this is an acknowledgement of his sterling quality, relevant skill and academic excellence,” he said.
He said Nigeria, like other countries, must take the initiative to identify opportunities arising from Abubakar’s leadership of CEPI and deliberately position itself to derive maximum and long-lasting benefits.
According to him, Nigeria should not simply celebrate the appointment.
“Nigerians should be concerned about what concrete benefits the country can derive from CEPI, rather than expecting undeserved benefits simply because a Nigerian professional is leading the global organisation.
“We will make his job easier for him if we do not see the appointment as a political appointment from which we expect constituency projects,” he said.
He said any benefits Nigeria had received from its citizens serving in international organisations such as WHO, WTO, and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) had come through compliance with established global standards.
He said the same principle should guide Nigeria’s approach to Abubakar’s appointment as CEPI CEO.
He said Nigeria must take responsibility for addressing its health challenges and should not rely on the nationality of individuals occupying international positions to solve problems that require deliberate national action.
“His appointment is not political, but a professional one.
“To ensure he does a commendable job that will make us proud, we must spare him the burden of considering his appointment under the umbrella of federal character and ‘onstituency projects.
“We must identify our health priorities and develop the scientific, institutional and policy capacity required to meaningfully engage with CEPI and other international organisations,” he said.
He said opportunities existed in areas such as clinical trials, vaccine research, development and manufacturing, adding that Nigeria must first strengthen its institutions and create an enabling environment for them to compete globally.
According to him, Nigerian institutions must be adequately equipped and positioned to meet international standards if the country is to derive sustainable benefits from its engagement with CEPI.
He also urged Nigeria to clearly define what it intends to achieve through its engagement with CEPI and other international organisations and develop strategies for achieving those objectives.
He said that the country should be proactive in engaging international partners rather than waiting for benefits simply because a Nigerian occupied a leadership position in an international organisation.
The former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science said Nigeria must build the capacity to convert global opportunities into concrete improvements in its health and scientific sectors.
He said this would require stronger research institutions, improved clinical-trial capacity, investment in vaccine development and manufacturing, and policies that support scientific innovation.
NAN reports that CEPI had recently announced the appointment of Abubakar, a Nigerian epidemiologist and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London (UCL), as its next CEO.
Abubakar will join CEPI in March 2027 and assume office as CEO in April, succeeding Dr Richard Hatchett, who has led the organisation since its establishment in 2017.
His appointment comes as CEPI prepares to implement its 2027–2031 strategy, known as CEPI 3.0.
The strategy places CEPI’s “100 Days Mission” at the centre of efforts to accelerate the development of vaccines and other countermeasures against emerging epidemic threats.
Tomori’s position adds an important caution to the celebrations surrounding Abubakar’s appointment, stressing that international recognition of a Nigerian professional should not be mistaken for an automatic national benefit.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman