Ojelade: Transforming Lives Through Health, Education, Social Development

Dr. Olubunmi Ojelade is a trailblazing public health specialist, social development advocate, and transformative leader dedicated to improving healthcare access, promoting education, and fostering social change.

With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Ojelade has been instrumental in shaping health policies, strengthening healthcare systems, and implementing high-impact interventions that have enhanced reproductive health outcomes and improved healthcare access.

Ojelade currently serves as a Public Health Specialist and Programme Officer II for Malaria and Tuberculosis at Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria (BA-N). She provides technical expertise to the Federal Ministry of Health, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Program (NTBLCP), advancing advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM) strategies to increase the uptake of malaria and tuberculosis services.

Her efforts with colleagues have improved health-seeking behaviour and service delivery nationwide which have resulted in 81 percent insecticide treated net use among pregnant women, 75 percent among children under five and 50 percent increase in tuberculosis case findings. These have contributed to decreased maternal and child mortality and morbidity.

Prior to BA-N, she was a Technical Support Lead for Demand Generation and advocacy at The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project, secured funding in reproductive health program funding, increasing contraceptive uptake by 80 percent among adolescents, and strengthening public-private partnerships.

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As the founder and executive director of Diamonds and Pearls Health, Education, and Social Development Initiative (DAPHESDI), she spearheads efforts to address critical health, education, and social challenges in underserved communities across Nigeria. DAPHESDI, registered with Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission, is committed to health promotion, disease prevention, education empowerment, social development, research, and capacity building, ensuring a sustainable impact in communities.

Ojelade has contributed to community-based interventions and client-centered service delivery models through her roles in research and program management with organizations like WHO, Sonder Collective, and SCOPE Impact.

She served as the principal investigator for the research that led to the development of the innovative Ilera Eko Digital Health Booth. This groundbreaking initiative has significantly enhanced access to healthcare services, particularly for women and children, by providing convenient, technology-driven medical consultations and support. Through her leadership, the project has contributed to bridging healthcare gaps and improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

Her lifelong commitment to health equity, education, and social development continues to transform lives across Nigeria and beyond.

Education and Career

Ojelade’s academic journey reflects her dedication to continuous learning and excellence. She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health, Babcock University, Nigeria (2023) – Best Graduating Student, CGPA 4.82/5.00; Master of Public Health (MPH) – Health Promotion & Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2014) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Health Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria (2004) – Best Graduating Student.

She has also completed numerous professional courses and training in social marketing, health communication, and leadership development.

Ojelade has received multiple awards for her outstanding contributions to public health including Best Graduating Student (PhD), Babcock University (2023); Best Interpersonal Communication Agent (Social Marketing), Society for Family Health (2012); Fellow, Royal Society of Public Health (UK) and Fellow, African Institute of Public Health. Her work has been recognized both nationally and internationally, reflecting her impact on public health policies, programs, and interventions.

Beyond her work in public health programming, Ojelade is a passionate mentor, trainer, and advocate. She actively delivers lectures, conducts workshops, and facilitates peer education training for youth, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. Her capacity-building initiatives have empowered individuals and organizations to adopt best practices in public health, reproductive health, and disease prevention.