Dr. Faisal Shuaib: Leadership and innovation in Nigeria’s public health sector

Faisal Shuaib is a Nigerian medical doctor and public health expert whose career has been shaped by a strong academic foundation and a passion for disease control.

He served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency from January 11, 2017, to October 20, 2023, following his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Before taking up that national role, he worked as a Senior Programme Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, where he focused on polio surveillance and outbreak response across Africa.

Born in Shafan Kwato Ward, Toto LGA, Nasarawa State on August 14th, Faisal studied Medicine and Surgery at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1992.

He later obtained a Master of Public Health from University of Lagos in 1998, before earning a Doctor of Public Health degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he graduated with distinction.

His academic journey positioned him as a specialist in epidemic response and healthcare systems.

Early career and rise in public health

Dr. Shuaib began his professional journey at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, where he rose to become Director of Primary Healthcare and Disease Control.

His expertise soon earned him roles with the World Health Organization, where he served as State and later Zonal Coordinator in Nigeria’s North Central region.

His work focused on immunization programmes and disease surveillance, laying the groundwork for his later national and global impact.

Global experience at the gates foundation

Before his appointment into federal service, he worked as a Senior Programme Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, United States.

In that role, he managed polio surveillance and outbreak response strategies across Africa.

He also contributed to the development of innovative tools like AVADAR, a mobile-based application that significantly improved the detection of polio-related cases and was later adapted for broader disease tracking, including COVID-19.

Leading Nigeria’s Ebola response

Dr. Shuaib gained international recognition in 2014 when he served as Incident Manager of Nigeria’s Ebola Emergency Operations Centre.

During the outbreak, he coordinated a large team of health workers and volunteers, establishing systems for rapid diagnosis, contact tracing, and patient care.

His leadership played a critical role in containing the virus within a short period. On October 20, 2014, Nigeria was officially declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, a milestone widely praised across the globe.

Role in polio eradication efforts

In the same year, he also served as Deputy Incident Manager and Chief Operations Officer of the National Polio Emergency Operations Centre.

In this capacity, he helped coordinate nationwide efforts to eliminate polio, including delivering vaccines to children in conflict-affected areas such as Borno and Yobe States.

These efforts later contributed to a historic achievement when Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in August 2020.

Leadership at national primary health care development agency

In January 2017, Dr. Shuaib was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

During his tenure, which lasted until October 2023, he oversaw major reforms in primary healthcare delivery across the country.

He led nationwide immunization campaigns, strengthened healthcare infrastructure, and improved access to essential services for millions of Nigerians.

Driving Nigeria’s COVID-19 response

As head of the agency, he played a central role in Nigeria’s COVID-19 response.

He was a key member of the Presidential Task Force and led the national vaccination campaign.

His efforts ensured the distribution of vaccines across all states, with a focus on equity, community engagement, and public awareness.

Nigeria’s vaccination strategy received commendation from global health bodies for its effectiveness.

Innovations and system reforms

Beyond emergency responses, Dr. Shuaib introduced several reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

He led nationwide assessments of primary healthcare centres, improved data management systems, and supported the recruitment of thousands of health workers.

He also championed initiatives such as the Reaching Inaccessible Children strategy, which helped stop the spread of polio in hard-to-reach communities.

Awards and recognition

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Shuaib has received numerous honours.

These include the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service, the National Productivity Order of Merit, and the Africa COVID-19 Hero Award.

His work during the pandemic and in disease eradication continues to earn both national and international recognition.

Academic contributions

Dr. Shuaib has authored and co-authored over 70 scientific publications, making him a respected voice in global health discussions.

He continues to contribute as an advisor to health authorities, including the World Health Organization and Nigeria’s health institutions.

He also serves in academic and leadership roles, supporting research and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare for vulnerable populations.