At IRCE-IHVN, women are not just part of the conversation—they are driving it. This International Women’s Day 2025, we honor the remarkable women at the heart of our organization, breaking barriers, and shaping a more inclusive future.
In line with this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, we asked our inspiring female leaders to share their thoughts on what this day means to them. Their words reflect strength, vision, and the urgent need for progress.
Join us in celebrating their voices and their commitment to a world where equality is not just an ideal but a reality.
Read their powerful quotes below:
Prof. Alash’le Abimiku MON MSc, PhD.
Executive Director, IRCE
Profile summary
Prof. Alash’le Abimiku is a Co-founder of Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), the Executive Director of the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) of the IHVN and a Professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMB). Her career for over 30 years has distinguished her as an academic, scientist and researcher who has blazed the trail in promoting quality laboratory medicine practices and research in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. She first documented the unique HIV strain prevalent in Nigeria as HIV subtype G, different from the subtype B circulating in Europe and USA. She also established the first reliable HIV research laboratory in Central Nigeria that has supported her funded grants on the role of subtypes in disease pathogenesis using mother to child model and effects of co-infections with TB on HIV pathogenesis; and those of her colleagues from UMB and the young faculty at IRCE.
She is a Principal Investigator of multiple projects funded from the NIH, CDC, USAID, EDCTP, PEPFAR, Global Fund amongst others and a member of several boards, steering and scientific advisory committees including Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Advisory Board Presidential Initiative on Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the Africa CDC Africa Laboratory Technical Working Group, and the WHO Global HIV Drug Resistance Network (RESNET). She serves as academic editor for PLOS and is a member of the editorial board for JAIDS.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
Inclusion cannot wait. The time is now—to see more women in the Senate, in the House of Representatives, and in every space where decisions shape our future.
Sylvia Adebajo, MD, PhD
Senior Research Advisor
Profile summary
Dr. Sylvia Adebajo is a public health physician with a strong background in communicable disease epidemiology (primarily HIV) with a career spanning more than two decades in health system research, program design, and evaluation and leadership. Dr. Adebajo has also been involved in conducting groundbreaking epidemiological studies in Nigeria as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
To all the women who make the world a better place with their love, words, courage, and kindness—this day is for you! Happy International Women’s Day!
Fati Murtala-Ibrahim
Director/ Head of Department Strategic Information
Profile summary
Fati Murtala-Ibrahim serves as the Director/Head of Department for Strategic Information, where she provides expert technical leadership in developing, implementing, and coordinating monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems for donor-funded public health programs, including HIV, TB, Malaria, and Nutrition. Her role encompasses overseeing the monitoring and evaluation activities, data management and analytics, and health informatics activities and supporting system strengthening initiatives for these core activities across multiple grants.
She actively collaborates with government agencies and projects to design data management tools, policies, frameworks, and guidelines that ensure effective and efficient M&E practices. She manages a large, diverse team across multiple grants and provides capacity building and mentorship to her team.
With over 20 years of experience spanning public health and community pharmacy, Fati has cultivated a strong foundation in health systems and evaluation. She holds a degree in Pharmacy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. She further advanced her education with a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health from the University of Manchester, UK, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Walden University, USA.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
Empowered women inspire transformation. Together, they break barriers, redefine possibilities, and light the way for future generations to follow
Dr. Aderonke Vivian Agbaje
Director of Programs – Special Projects /COP TB LON 3 Project
Profile summary
Dr. Aderonke Vivian Agbaje is the Director of Programs – Special Projects and Chief of Party of the USAID TB-LON 3 Project at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). She directly supervises the USAID TB Local Organizations Network (LON 3) project in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States, providing oversight for effective planning and implementation of the project aimed at detecting and treating tuberculosis cases, as well as scaling up COVID-19 vaccinations in these States and strengthening sustainable systems for health. She also provides leadership and direction to other special projects such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria TB-HIV Reach, Integration and Impact Project (GC7 N-THRIP) and the World Bank Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project. Dr. Agbaje graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and has over twenty years of experience in the medical field. She also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the Nigerian Institute of Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University Of Manchester, United Kingdom.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
The time is now for us to collaborate and forge stronger partnerships for gender equality. Women are not just part of society—they are essential to its progress, both in numbers and in impact. By harnessing our collective strengths, we can drive meaningful change and build a more equitable future for all.
Dr Olayemi Olupitan
Project Director (at the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria)
Profile summary
Dr Olayemi Olupitan is the Project Director (at the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria) of the Global Fund Grant Cycle-7 TB&HIV grant TB-HIV Reach, Integration & Impact Project (N-THRIP), which is a combined TB &HIV effort pivotal to transforming TB & HIV programs. Under the leadership and coordination of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP), the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), this project will increase the identification of all forms of TB cases in the community and ensure prompt access to high-quality, patient-centred prevention and treatment through a Nationwide coverage of TB Public-Private Mix active TB case finding effort, and Community TB testing. The HIV component of the grant is focused on four states (Ebonyi, Anambra, Kwara, and Gombe) for end-to-end HIV comprehensive services, community PMTCT scale-up in all states, PrEP and Harm reduction efforts in the four GF-supported states, and other PEPFAR supported states. Other focus areas include Health Systems Strengthening/Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) and National level support activities.
Within the Institute, Dr Olupitan has worked as a Program Associate at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTBLTCP), as a Program Officer for TB/HIV, as a Regional Medical Officer/Senior Program Officer, Acting Regional Manager in the Lagos Regional Office, as a Regional Manager in FCT Regional Office, the Project Director of the ACHIEVE Rivers State ART Surge Project and more recently, Assistant Director at the PEPFAR Program Coordinating Unit, where she led the coordination of the PEPFAR-IHVN supported states and sub-partners for seamless program implementation on the Action to Sustain Precision and Integrated HIV Response towards Epidemic Control (ASPIRE) grant.
She studied Medicine at Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, and has a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Warwick in England. Dr Olupitan is a member of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and has facilitated and participated in numerous training sessions /workshops within and outside Nigeria.
She is interested in HIV, TB, and COVID-19 research and enjoys reading, networking, swimming and travelling.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
Against all odds, a powerful awareness is blossoming among women regarding the incredible potential they possess. An inspiring wave of female leaders is rising; together, we can create a future where women uplift one another, inspire those around them to embrace challenging opportunities, and collectively drive positive change in our world.
Sophia Osawe PhD, MPH, AIMLS, EMBA
Senior Research Manager / Head, Research Operations
Profile summary
Sophia Osawe is the Unit Lead for the Quality Assurance Unit and a Senior Research Manager, with over 15 years of experience in diagnostics, research, system strengthening, project management and quality management systems implementation. Sophia has coordinated several observational studies (two large cohort studies) and clinical trials. She received funding to conduct studies around COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and HIV prevention. Sophia has co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented several abstracts at local and international conferences. Sophia led the institute’s first medical laboratory (2017) as well as a total of 9 medical laboratories in Malawi (2020-2023) to achieve and maintain international accreditation in accordance with ISO 15189.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
On this IWD let us reflect on our progress and achievements as women and commit to breaking down barriers and promoting equality and diversity, giving every woman opportunity to realize her dreams.
Mrs. Ozumba Petronilla Jean
Deputy Director/HOD laboratory
Profile summary
Ozumba Petronilla Jean is the Deputy Director and Head of the Clinical Laboratory Service Department at IHVN. She oversees quality management, laboratory systems strengthening, and public health programs while ensuring compliance with GLP. A seasoned Medical Laboratory Scientist specializing in hematology/chemical pathology and bio-banking, she has over 17 years of experience in molecular techniques, capacity building, and laboratory systems strengthening. She collaborates with government agencies and partners to implement standards across HIV, TB, COVID-19, and other priority diseases; she supports the establishment of biobanks across the continent. Certified in project management, basic IPC, biosafety, biosecurity, and infectious substances shipping, she also has expertise in budgeting and leadership.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
To empower women is to strengthen communities—let’s accelerate action toward equality, inclusion, and a future where every woman thrives.” #InternationalWomensDay
Martha Okposo
Assistant Director, Strategic Information
Profile summary
Mrs Martha Okposo is the Strategic Information Specialist overseeing the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). She coordinates processes for compliance to best practices in monitoring and evaluation of program activities while fostering innovation for efficient data reporting. Mrs Okposo also leads the Institute’s drive to automate program reporting, including the IHVN customized District Health Information Software (DHIS 2) which was recently concluded. As Assistant Director Strategic Information, she strengthens systems at regional and state levels, thereby promoting data quality, transparency and integrity. She works with government, other implementing partners and stakeholders to promote effective data reporting from health facilities supported by the Institute. She works with the three units of the SI Department to ensure systems, and processes align in meeting funders reporting requirements. Her over 15 years wealth of experience is in program management, process improvement, data analysis and project management. Mrs. Okposo is an alumnus of the University of Jos , Nigeria; Benue State University, Nigeria; and Walden University USA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science/Education in Biology, Master of Administration in Health Management and then in Health Informatics respectively.
She has Diploma in Oracle Database Management from NIIT Abuja. She also has certificates in; Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington; and in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Royal Tropical Institute of Amsterdam.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
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Nifarta Peingurta Andrew, MSc, MPH, PhD
Research Manager/Data Unit Lead
Profile summary
Nifarta Andrew Peingurta is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Public Health Data Scientist with expertise in health research, statistical modeling, and data management. With over 10 years’ experience in HIV/AIDS program, she has led data optimization efforts for a large CDC/PEPFAR-funded HIV/AIDS program in Nigeria and currently heads the data unit supporting research at IRCE. Her work focuses on applying statistical models to public health outcomes and translating research into policy and patient education. Holding a PhD in social and educational policy and MSc in Statistics, she has trained professionals in clinical research data management and statistical modeling. She also holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and is passionate about mentoring young researchers.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
When you empower a woman, you empower a generation.
Rachel Ebelechukwuka Adegbe MSc, MCIPM, MITD
Assistant Director HR
Profile summary
Rachel Adegbe is the Assistant Director of Human Resources at IHVN, leading talent management, policy development and implementation, performance management, and employee benefits. She holds an MSc from the University of Roehampton in Strategic Human Resource Management and a BSc in Zoology from the University of Jos, Nigeria. She is a Certified Organizational Development Practitioner, a licensed Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) the foremost regulatory body for the HR profession in Nigeria, a Full Member of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), and just recently, a member of Women in HR (WiHR). With over 13 years of experience in HR and operations, she has consulted for public and private organizations, NGOs, and international bodies, including leading HR strategy projects in Nigeria and Rwanda. She has expertise in organizational development, recruitment, and policy development, contributing to workforce planning and strategic HR management.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
The words ‘Women’ and ‘Value’ should be made synonyms in every sphere of endeavor!
Precious Okafor
Assistant Director, Grants and Contracts
Profile summary
Precious Okafor is a Grant Management Expert with over 14 years of experience in grants, compliance, and procurement management. A Chartered Accountant with MSc. in Business Administration, she is skilled in project management and ensuring donor and organizational compliance. As Assistant Director of Grants and Contracts at IHVN, she oversees grant processes from pre-award to closeout, supervises grants staff, and provides training and mentorship. Previously, she worked with organizations like Creative Associates, MSH, Chemonics and Winrock International. She also manages proposal submissions and serves as the primary contact for grant-related issues, ensuring quality assurance and policy adherence across projects.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
In unison, let us collectively remove the systematic barriers, create the enabling environment and *Accelerate Action” for women advancement, involvement and full engagement in every sector of the economy.
Rita Okonkwo, MPH
Project Director SECURE-Nigeria, Head Surveillance Department
Profile summary
Rita Okonkwo is a Senior Implementation Scientist at IRCE-IHVN with a career span of 15 years. She currently heads the Dept of Surveillance at the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE). She leads IHVN Global Health Security portfolio as the current Project Director of the CDC funded SECURE-NIGERIA project with Prof Abimiku as PI. Prior to her current position she played a pivotal role supporting IHVN quality management program for HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. This earned her international recognition as an Emerging leader in Healthcare Quality Improvement in LMIC by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua). As a Senior member of the IRCE team she supports the development of Research Administrative Infrastructure, providing support to research scientists and research administrators to successfully put together competitive research grant proposals, and post award management of research grants.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
As a woman, aspire for excellence in all you and you will break limiting barriers.
Ms. Ifeoma Opute
Director Supply Chain Management Department
Profile summary
As Director Supply Chain Management Department, Ms. Opute plans and manages the operations of local and international procurement to ensure an uninterrupted supply of equipment and materials for the Institute and supported health facilities. She also coordinates a comprehensive system that enables short and long-term projection and analysis of procurement activities. Ms. Opute is a Certified International Procurement Professional with more than 20 years of experience in providing supply chain management, procurement, and administrative solutions to organizations. She is a graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Languages. She also holds a Diploma in Health Care Management from Pan-Atlantic University, a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Masters in Business Management (MBA) from Nile University Nigeria.
International Women’s Day 2025 quote
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