Nigerian Professor, Ibrahim Abubakar Named Vice Provost for Health at University College London

Nigerian Professor Ibrahim Abubakar has been named the Vice Provost for Health at University College London. Professor Abubakar, currently serves as the Pro-Provost (Health) and Dean of Population Health Sciences.

In his new role, he will take the lead on developing and implementing UCL’s ‘whole-university strategy for health’, which reflects that health research, innovation, and education at UCL. He will lead work to embed multi-disciplinary approaches across UCL and with health partners, reinforce existing partnerships, create capacity for new ones, and increase the impact of the UCL Health department.

Professor Ibrahim Abubakar

Professor Abubakar has previously served as a member of the WHO/World Bank Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, Chair of both the WHO’s Global Clinical Trial Forum and its Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Tuberculosis, and Chair of Lancet Migration.

He joined UCL in 2012 as Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and went on to become Director of the Institute of Global Health and Vice-Dean (International and External Engagement) in the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, and became Dean of the Faculty in 2021.

In 2023 he took on the additional role of Pro-Provost (Health) alongside his role as Dean and, in this capacity, has been developing UCL’s new strategy for health.

Reactions to Appointment

Speaking on this appointment, Dr Michael Spence, President & Provost of UCL, said: “It is really clear that, in order to have the maximum impact, health-related activity needs to be viewed as a university-wide endeavour, bringing together cross-disciplinary expertise and applications.

“Ibrahim is a highly experienced academic leader with a tremendous track record of activating and implementing long-term impact. I am delighted that we now have a Vice-Provost (Health) of such extensive global expertise and insight to lead this work.” He concluded.

Professor Abubakar said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Vice-Provost (Health) at UCL. At a time of profound global health challenges and transformative innovation, I look forward to working with colleagues across the university, our NHS partners, and global collaborators to advance world-leading research, education, and impact that improves our national and global health and contribute to economic growth.

 

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