Abuja – Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has congratulated Professor Ibrahim Abubakar on his appointment as the new Vice-Provost (Health) at University College London (UCL).
Describing the appointment as a proud moment for Nigeria and a strategic boost to UCL’s global health leadership, Professor Pate praised Abubakar’s dedication to advancing public health and global research partnerships.
“Professor Abubakar’s appointment reflects not only his personal excellence but also the growing recognition of Nigerian professionals at the forefront of global health. His leadership will undoubtedly help shape critical cross-disciplinary solutions to health challenges worldwide,” Professor Pate said in his message of commendation.
Professor Abubakar, a globally respected epidemiologist and expert in infectious diseases, will lead UCL’s cross-disciplinary health strategy through the newly created Vice-Provost (Health) role. He assumes the position immediately on a part-time basis and will transition to full-time in 2025.
In his new role, Professor Abubakar is tasked with advancing UCL’s “whole-university strategy for health”, a comprehensive framework that integrates research, education, and innovation across all faculties. The strategy underscores UCL’s commitment to tackling contemporary health challenges through multi-sectoral collaboration, from biomedical sciences to engineering, social sciences, and policy.
Professor Abubakar joined UCL in 2012 as Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. He later served as Director of the UCL Institute for Global Health and became Dean of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences in 2021. In 2023, he was appointed Pro-Provost (Health), a role in which he has been shaping UCL’s long-term health vision.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate CON
Honourable Coordinating Minister
Of Health & Social Welfare
