Distinguished Nigerian professor of infectious disease epidemiology, Ibrahim Abubakar, has been appointed as the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) following a competitive global selection process.

The official announcement from the CEPI governing board confirms that Professor Abubakar will officially join the global health organization in March 2027 and formally take over executive leadership in April 2027, succeeding outgoing chief executive Dr. Richard Hatchett.

The high-profile international appointment has garnered widespread acclaim across Nigeria, drawing commendation from President Bola Tinubu, who described the decision as a testament to the country’s growing contributions and expertise within global public health leadership.

A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Abubakar has amassed over three decades of professional experience across clinical medicine, health policy, and public health research, currently serving as Vice-Provost (Health) at University College London.

Established in 2017, CEPI functions as an international multi-stakeholder coalition that finances and coordinates the development of vaccines and countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases and potential pandemic threats worldwide.