President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jide Idris, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, as the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Mr Idris succeeds Ifedayo Adetifa, who has headed the NCDC since September 6, 2021.

The new DG also served as a permanent secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

The appointment of Mr Idris was contained in a statement by presidential aide Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Mr Idris has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. He played a pivotal role in reshaping Lagos State’s healthcare delivery system.

Mr Idris also led the successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in Lagos State.

He holds degrees from the University of Lagos, Yale University, and Columbia University.

Meanwhile, the NCDC marked its fifth anniversary in November 2023, showcasing some accomplishments.

Established in 2016 and backed by the NCDC Act 2018, the agency focuses on disease surveillance, laboratory capacity building, emergency response, and public health education.

NCDC’s key achievements in the last five years include enhancing disease surveillance, leading emergency responses, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering international collaborations, and increasing laboratory capacity.

In NCDC, the director-general serves as the chief executive officer, overseeing the centre’s administration and receiving supervision from the governing board and the minister of health.

The term of the office is four years, which can be renewed.

Chikwe Ihekweazu served as the first director-general of the NCDC on August 15, 2016. In July 2019, he was re-appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

On October 18, 2021, Mr Adetifa succeeded Mr Ihekweazu following the latter’s recruitment by the World Health Organisation. 

(NAN)