Dr. Oluwatosin W. Akande

Dr Akande is an experienced global health specialist adept at applying advanced knowledge and skills in policy and programme development, implementation, evaluation, and research in public health at both national and global levels. She currently serves as a Technical Officer in the Health Emergencies Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva. In this role, she supports countries and partners in strengthening capacities for epidemic and pandemic threat management, with a focus on pandemic planning,  genomic surveillance and ensuring timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures. Her work advances global health security by promoting strategic policy development, providing technical assistance, and fostering multisectoral collaboration through a whole-of-society approach.

Prior to joining WHO, Dr Akande was an Assistant Director at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. She led the Knowledge Management Unit, served as Lead Epidemiologist in the Genomics Unit, Technical Officer for Strengthening Nigeria Field Epidemiology Programme, and Research Pillar Lead for the National COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre.

Dr Akande is a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, having completed a six-year residency (board certification) in Public Health and Community Medicine with honours. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Liverpool and earned her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Ilorin.