Bassey Bassey Okposen

• Acted as on-the-ground AFRO and BMGF point person for measles work in Nigeria in line with the IA2030
• Worked closely with the Executive Director/CEO NPHCDA, EPI Manager and EPI Team at NPHCDA to ensure achievement of set goals on immunization
• Provided technical and mentoring support to the measles and routine immunization (RI) focal points in Government Agencies (NPHCDA & NCDC)
• Collaborated and supported Government Agencies, WHO Country Office, BMGF and partners in implementing effective and concrete interventions to strengthen measles program
• Provided technical support to the new vaccine’s introduction task team in completing the phase one (1) HPV vaccines rollout in the 16 phase one states, and finalization of the malaria vaccine proposal for submission to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance
• Coordinated and built linkages between relevant development partners supporting measles work, including but not limited to WHO, UNICEF, BMGF, World Bank, Global Fund, and USAID
• Facilitated and took part in stakeholders discussions and working groups regarding routine immunization (MCV1), preventive measles campaigns, measles surveillance and outbreak response
• Supported analyses of program data to help identify zero dose children and other pockets of susceptible population with a view to develop and implement plans for catch-up immunization and other efforts to reduce immunity gaps
• Supported the analysis and development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation of the 2023 measles supplemental immunization activities (SIAs)
• Supported / facilitated the preparation and implementation of timely and high-quality measles SIAs in the targeted thirteen (13) states
• Facilitated the mobilization and release of the required resources for the planned campaigns; and the utilization and reporting on the resources released by the subnational levels (benefitting states and LGAs)
• Facilitated the documentation and reporting of the lessons learnt and the conduct of the measles campaigns in the thirteen (13) states in 2023
• Facilitated and supported the preparation of reports and presentations for Technical Working Groups (TWGs), Core Group, Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (ICC) meetings etc
• Carried out other additional work stream that was assigned to me by the BMGF team, ED/CEO - NPHCDA and other team members as the need arose.

• Provided leadership and managed sixty-two (62) staff at the Department of Disease Control and Immunization at NPHCDA, aside fifty-three (53) other partners / donors for the transformative and innovative work at the National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Center (NERICC) and COVID-19 Response War Room in line with IA2030 to ensure their optimal performance, continuous development, and work engagement
• Led and coordinated diverse teams of program implementers from Government, partners, donors, NGOs/CSOs and other stakeholders at NERICC in the overall strategic, technical, programmatic and management guidance for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of an integrated multi-sectoral and complex immunization and nutrition and other Maternal, Neonatal Child Nutrition & Health (MNCNH) programs, especially during routine and supplemental immunization activities, Child Health Weeks and other MNCNH intensifications
• Established and maintained strong diplomatic partnerships building and management with key internal and external relevant stakeholders
• Worked closely with Government authorities (at all levels), global donor/ partner organizations (GAVI, BMGF, World Bank, US-CDC, USAID, African CDC, WHO and UNICEF etc), NGOs and the private sector at the NERICC Centre
• Coordinated and managed the implementation of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, BMGF, World Bank and other donor-funded projects and grants to the Nigerian Government (through NPHCDA) collaboratively with other relevant donors and partners
• Coordinated budgeting, financial accountability and proper reporting of regular and standardized grants from the donors and partners
• Led the departmental staff, NERICC and COVID-19 teams members in consultative and negotiation meetings with donors, partners and other relevant Government Agencies and NGOs for support in the implementation of priority routine immunization (RI), non-polio supplemental immunization activities, nutrition and other MNCNH interventions
• Collaborated with the logistics team in the forecasting, storage, distribution and management of required vaccines logistics for the country’s (Nigeria) immunization programme and other related activities
• Led the implementation of measures to tract Government, donors and partners investment performance as related to immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH programs support
• Coordinated the planning and implementation of communication related activities at the NERICC Centre and the COVID-19 Response War Room at NPHCDA
• Wrote and prepared information for the Executive Director, NPHCDA and Minister of Health for the media on immunization related issues
• Managed and made innumerable public representation/appearances on Radio / television to improve immunization performance and Agency’s image
• Coordinated and supervised data collation, analyses, timely and complete reporting and feedback on routine immunization and other related activities, using Microsoft Office and other platforms
• Coordinated and contributed to the writing of reports, briefs, articles, and presentations, including literature reviews, researches and other relevant related documentation for routine immunization, NPSIAs and other related activities
• Represented the Government at several national and international review meetings, conferences and workshops on immunization and related programs
• Led and coordinated the planning, development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation; conducting / facilitating trainings, as it relates to disease control and immunization (including new vaccines introduction)
• Led and coordinated efforts at the NPHCDA in the development of proposals, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for several new vaccine’s introduction (pentavalent, IPV, PCV, MenA, measles second dose, Rotavirus vaccine and COVID-19 and HPV vaccines) into the Nigeria routine immunization schedule
• Served as the Chair of the Nigeria New Vaccines Introduction Task Team (2014, 2023)
• Served as the technical lead and coordinator for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Nigeria; and its integration with routine immunization vaccinations, non-polio supplemental immunization activities, polio campaigns / outbreak responses, nutrition, Child Health Weeks and other PHC services
• Coordinated the team for the development and utilization of the Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) platform for the reporting of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria
• Provided leadership and supervised the secretariats of the routine immunization, COVID-19 and non-polio SIAs Technical Working Groups (TWGs), Nigeria Measles Steering Committee, Nigeria Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NGITAG), Core Group, COVID-19 Strategy Group, and the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (ICC) secretariat
• Coordinated and supervised the Nigeria immunization work on measles (routine Immunization, campaigns, and broader campaign effectiveness workstream)
• Participated and contributed to the planning and implementation of priority interventions at the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) polio meetings to reduce the number of cases of cVDPV2 and sustain the polio eradication initiative efforts in the country
• Led high-level advocacy to senior government officials, political leaders, traditional/religious/opinion leaders and UN Agencies/Donors and NGOs
• Coordinated the development of microplanning for routine immunization and non-polio supplemental immunization activities in Nigeria using GIS and working
• Conducted field visits to states and worked with the state teams to understand operational challenges and continuously identify low-hanging opportunities for learning and improvement
• Collaborated with relevant security Agencies to ensure the security and safety of all personnel (staff, consultants), operations and related assets for implementation of priority interventions, especially in security compromised areas nationwide
• Carried out any additional work stream assigned to me by the ED/CEO - NPHCDA and other team members as the need would arise

Achievements / Results:

• Significant improvement in the Penta 3 routine immunization from 33% in 2016 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey/ National Immunization Cluster Survey (MICS/NICS) to 57% (MICS/NICS, 2021) despite the COVID-19 pandemic effects
• Successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, despite the initial challenges
• As at 3rd December 2023, a total of 94,377,763 (81.37%) persons have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines; 81,846,140 (70.56%) have been fully vaccinated; and 17,809,001 persons have received booster doses in Nigeria
• Significant reduction in the number of confirmed outbreaks from vaccine preventable diseases (measles, yellow fever, meningitis and tetanus)
• Number of confirmed measles cases reduced from 59,918 in 2013 to 16,458 in 2021
• Three (3) southern zones (south-east, south-south and south-west) and North Central zone have been validated to have achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE)
• Nigeria was certified free of wild poliovirus on 25th August 2020
• Routine Immunization pillar has been a key pillar of the eradication efforts

• Provided leadership and managed forty-two (42) staff of the Routine Immunization Division of the Department of Disease Control and Immunization Division at NPHCDA, aside the other forty-eight (48) partners / donors with the Routine Immunization Working Group and transformative and innovative NERICC Centre to ensure optimal performance, continuous development and work engagement
• Established and maintained strong diplomatic partnerships building and management with key internal and external relevant stakeholders
• Worked closely with Government authorities (at all levels), global donor/ partner organizations (GAVI, BMGF, World Bank, US-CDC, USAID, African CDC, WHO and UNICEF etc), NGOs and the private sector at the NERICC Centre
• Led and coordinated diverse teams of program implementers from Government, partners, donors, NGOs/CSOs and other stakeholders at NERICC in the overall strategic, technical, programmatic and management guidance for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of an integrated multi-sectoral and complex immunization and nutrition programs, especially during routine and supplemental immunization campaigns (NPSIAs), Child Health Weeks and other Maternal, Neonatal Child Nutrition & Health (MNCNH) intensification activities
• Coordinated and managed the implementation of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, World Bank, BMGF and other donor-funded projects and grants to the Nigerian Government (through NPHCDA) collaboratively with relevant donors and partners
• Coordinated budgeting, financial accountability and proper reporting of regular and standardized grants from the donors and partners
• Led the team to build and enhance partnerships and alliances to mobilize concerted actions and resources to advance the goals of the Agency
• Coordinated the development of the Nigeria Strategy for Immunization and Primary Health Care System Strengthening (NSIPSS: 2018 – 2028)
• Coordinated and led the development of the proposal for the Nigeria Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) World Bank supported project to improve routine immunization and malaria programme coverage in Nigeria
• Led the departmental staff and NERICC members in consultative and negotiation meetings with relevant Government Agencies, donors/partners and NGOs for support in the implementation of priority routine immunization (RI), non-polio supplemental immunization activities, nutrition and other MNCNH interventions
• Collaborated with relevant security Agencies to ensure the security and safety of all personnel (staff, consultants), operations and related assets for implementation of priority interventions, especially in security compromised areas nationwide
• Served as the Chair of the Nigeria New Vaccines Introduction Technical Working Group
• Led and coordinated efforts at the NPHCDA in the development of proposals, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for several new vaccine’s introduction (pentavalent, IPV, PCV and MenA) into Nigeria routine immunization schedule
• Collaborated with the logistics team in the forecasting, storage, distribution and management of required vaccines logistics for the country’s (Nigeria) immunization programme and other related activities
• Led and coordinated the planning, development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation; conducting / facilitating trainings, as it relates to routine immunization (including new vaccines introduction) in Nigeria
• Coordinated the development of microplanning for routine immunization and non-polio supplemental immunization activities using GIS working with other partners
• Coordinated the monitoring and supervision of immunization related activities and the conduct of quarterly/annual review meetings
• Coordinated and supervised data collation, analyses, timely and complete reporting and feedback on routine immunization related activities
• Coordinated and contributed to the writing of reports, briefs, articles, and presentations, including literature reviews, researches and other documentation on routine immunization and other related activities, using Microsoft Office
• Participated and led in high-level advocacy to senior government officials, political leaders, traditional/religious/opinion leaders and UN Agencies/Donors and NGOs
• Provided leadership and supervised the secretariats of the routine immunization, COVID-19 and non-polio SIAs Technical Working Groups (TWGs), Nigeria Measles Steering Committee, Nigeria Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NGITAG), Core Group and the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (ICC) secretariat
• Participated in the maternal and child health care (NEMCHIC) TWG
• Coordinated the planning and implementation of all communication related activities at the NERICC Centre
• Led the implementation of measures to tract Government, donors and partners on investment performance as related to immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH programs
• Managed and made innumerable public appearances on Radio / television to improve immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH performance
• Undertook field visits to states, worked with the state teams to understand operational challenges and continuously identified low-hanging opportunities for learning and improvement
• Carried out any additional work stream assigned to me from the headquarters and other team members as the need would arise
• Achievements / Results:
• Improved Penta 3 routine immunization coverage improved from 33% in 2017 (MICS/NICS) to 71% in 2019 (SMART) and 56.4% in 2022 (MICS/NICS) in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Successful rollout of several new vaccines (Pentavalent, IPV, PCV, measles second dose, Men A, Rotavirus vaccine, switch from TT to Td) in Nigeria
• Plan for the HPV vaccine rollout in September 2023 is ongoing in the country
• Successful development of Nigeria Comprehensive Multi-Year Plans (cMYPs) and the GAVI sponsored Nigeria Strategy for Immunization and PHC Systems Strengthening (NSIPSS: 2018 – 2028) documents.

• Provided leadership and managed forty-three (43) staff at the NPHCDA Zonal office, Benin and twenty-one (21) other staff in the six (6) states in the south south zone
• Coordinated and provided strategic, technical, programmatic and financial leadership for the development of work plans, implementation, reporting and monitoring and evaluation of all activities related to Child Health, routine immunization, polio eradication initiative, non-poli supplemental immunization activities, cold chain and logistics and Nutrition in the 6 states in the zone.
• Established and maintained diplomatic partnerships with other Government authorities, global donors/partner organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in the south-south zone (and national) in the planning and implementation of immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH and primary health care and humanitarian related activities in the south south zone.
• Conducted regular training sessions to enhance staff skills, leading to increased productivity and improved service delivery..
• Coordinated grants/ programmes implementation, financial accountability and proper reporting of regular and standardized grants from the donors and partners for activities conducted in the south south zone
• Coordinated and communicated feedback to the national and states in the zone on strategic innovative approaches used to improve performance on routine immunization, polio eradication initiative, nutrition programs and other primary health care interventions in the south south zone
• Collaborated with the Malaria programme teams for the integration of immunization and nutrition delivery services with the malaria programme implementation
• Served as Mid-Level Management (MLM) Course Director and coordinated the capacity building of national and subnational immunization managers/ officers in the south south and north central zones of Nigeria using WHO approved Modules
• Supervised the Zonal Cold Chain officer in the logistics management (planning, storage, distribution and reporting) of vaccines / devices and other commodities delivered to the south south zone for the six (6) south south states
• Coordinated technical reviews and abstract and article development during implementation and ensured that the design delivered high-quality integrated health programs for children and women, building on global best practices
• Provided technical guidance to the NPHCDA zonal and state teams to ensure that thematic program components are technically sound and the methodologies are consistent with national and global best practices
• Coordinated the planning and implementation of all communication related activities in the south south zone, as related to routine immunization and primary health care service delivery
• Coordinated the implementation of measures to tract Government, donors and partners on investment performance as related to immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH programs in the south south zone
• Coordinated and contributed to the writing of reports, briefs, articles, presentations and other relevant related documentation for routine immunization and other related activities carried out in the south zone using Microsoft Office and other platforms
• Undertook field visits to states and worked with all the state teams in the zone to understand operational challenges and continuously identified low-hanging opportunities for learning and improvement
• Carried out additional work stream assigned to me by the NPHCDA headquarters and other team members, as the need would arise.

Achievements / Results:

• Achieved yearly routine immunization coverage targets for the six (6) states in the zone, namely; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers
• Successfully distributed routine and campaign vaccines and corresponding devices to the six (6) states in the zone
• Significant reduction in the number of confirmed outbreaks from vaccine preventable diseases (measles, yellow fever, meningitis etc.) in the south-south zone during the period
• South-south zone has achieved polio eradication and achieved MNTE elimination.

• Provided leadership and managed fifty-four (54) staff at the NPHCDA Zonal office, Lagos and twenty-seven (27) other staff in the six (6) states in the south-west zone, namely; Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
• Coordinated and provided strategic, technical, programmatic and financial leadership for the development of work plans, implementation, reporting and monitoring and evaluation of activities related to Child Health, routine immunization, polio eradication initiative, non-polio supplemental immunization activities, cold chain and logistics in all the states in the south-west zone
• Participated in the planned activities for polio eradication in the zone and country
• Established and maintained diplomatic partnerships with other Government authorities, global donors/partner organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in the south-west zone in the planning and implementation of immunization and other related activities in the zone
• Coordinated grants / programmes implementation, financial accountability and proper reporting of regular and standardized grants from the donors and partners for activities conducted in the south west zone, as communicated from the headquarters
• Coordinated and communicated feedback to the national and states in the zone on strategic innovative approaches used to improve performance on routine immunization, polio eradication initiative, nutrition programs and other primary health care interventions in the south west zone
• Established and maintained diplomatic partnerships with other Government authorities, global donors/partner organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in the south-west zone (and national) in the planning and implementation of immunization and other primary health care and humanitarian related activities in the zone
• Coordinated the implementation of measures to tract Government, donors and partners on investment performance as related to immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH programs in the south west zone
• Coordinated grants/ programmes implementation, financial accountability and proper reporting of regular and standardized grants from the donors and partners for activities conducted in the zone, as communicated from the headquarters
• Coordinated with the Malaria programme teams for the integration of immunization delivery services with the malaria programme implementation
• Served as Mid-Level Management (MLM) Course Director and coordinated the capacity building of national and subnational immunization managers/ officers in south west and north west zones of Nigeria using WHO approved Modules
• Supervised the Zonal Cold Chain officer in the logistics management (planning, storage, distribution and reporting) of vaccines / devices and other commodities delivered to the south-west zone for the six (6) states in the zone
• Coordinated the planning and implementation of planned polio eradication initiative activities in the south-west zone and participated in national activities
• Supported technical reviews and abstract and article development during implementation and ensured that the design delivered high-quality integrated health programs for children and women, building on global best practices
• Provided technical guidance to the NPHCDA zonal and state teams to ensure that thematic program components are technically sound, and the methodologies are consistent with national and global best practices
• Coordinated the planning and implementation of all communication related activities in the south west zone, as it relates to routine immunization and polio eradication initiative
• Coordinated and contributed to the writing of reports, briefs, articles, presentations and other relevant related documentation for routine immunization and other related activities carried out in the south west zone using relevant platforms
• Undertook field visits to states in the zone and other parts of the country as assigned, worked with the state teams to understand operational challenges and continuously identified low-hanging opportunities for learning and improvement
• Carried out additional work stream assigned to me by the NPI headquarters and other team members as the need would arise.

Achievements / Results:

• Achieved yearly EPI coverage targets for the zone and the six (6) states in the zone, namely; Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo
• Significant reduction in the number of confirmed outbreaks from vaccine preventable diseases (measles, yellow fever, meningitis etc.) in the South West states during the period
• South West zone has now achieved MNTE elimination
• Received the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) Chief Executive Award for the ‘Most Hard Working and Dependable Zonal Coordinator’ in 2004.

• Provided oversight and managed eighteen (18) staff at the NPI south-west zonal cold store at Oshodi, Lagos, which also served as the national cold store before its relocation to Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
• Led work of the zonal team for the planning, distribution, monitoring and evaluation of use of vaccines, cold chain equipment and other EPI Logistics
• Was responsible for the planning / forecasting, storage, distribution, analyzing, reporting and providing accountability for the routine and campaign vaccines and devices at the cold store for the states in the zone and all the other states in the country at large, as it was also serving as a national store
• Was responsible for the storage of all routine immunization vaccines, including polio vaccines for the polio eradication programme
• Conducted training for the state and Local government cold chain officers in the south west zone of Nigeria
• Participated in all the planned activities for polio eradication in the zone and country
• Worked closely with other Government authorities, global donors/partner organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in the planning and implementation of immunization and other related activities in the south-west zone / country
• Undertook field visits to states in the zone and other parts of the country, as assigned as it relates to routine immunization and polio eradication
• Carried out any additional work stream assigned to me by the NPI headquarters and other team members as the need would arise

Achievements / Results:

• Achieved yearly set out targets for the zone and the six (6) states in the zone, namely; Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo
• Successfully distributed National Immunization Days campaign vaccines and devices from the National Cold Store, Lagos to all the 36 states plus FCT within 24 hours (for the first time in the logistics history of the country)
• Was given appointment as National Logistics Officer with UNICEF Nigeria (because of outstanding performance.) I attended the mandatory five (5) days orientation training but was not released to resume at UNICEF for reason that I was the Agency best staff, and the Federal Government was not ready to release me.

• Facilitated subnational level trainings, implementation, monitoring of National Immunization Days (NIDs) campaigns for polio eradication
• Served as the Lead central facilitator in Sokoto state for three (3) consecutive rounds of National Immunization Days (NIDs) in 2000
• Coordinated the other central facilitators posted to the state
• Facilitated social mobilization activities and carried out multiple level advocacy visits within the assigned LGAs
• Carried out any additional work stream assigned to me by the NPI headquarters and other state / LGA team members, as the need would arise.

Achievements / Results:

• Developed a comprehensive LGA map to facilitate NIDs implementation and address equity issues in low coverage LGAs
• This led to the discovery of about 6, 235 children that were never immunized
• The team was able to conduct quality polio campaign rounds with no records of AFP cases in my LGA of assignment and state then.

• Recruited as the first Medical Officer of Health into the Gongola (now Adamawa and Taraba) State Local Government Service Commission following the award of excellence by the state Governor on completion of my National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) assignment
• Led the work of the medical team in the delivery of primary health care services in Guyuk Local Government Area (LGAs) in Adamawa state
• Handled both medical and surgical cases at the Primary Health Care Centre, Guyuk, Guyuk Local Government Area (LGA), Adamawa state
• Led and coordinated the LGA team in the planning and implementation of immunization, nutrition and other MNCNH and primary health care and humanitarian related activities in the LGA
• Supervised the conduct of health talks and practical demonstrations on nutrition (balanced diets) during ante-natal sessions for the pregnant women
• Coordinated the implementation of malaria programmes in Guyuk LGA
• Planned, monitored / supervised health facilities within the Local Government Area (LGA); and effected data collection and analysis
• Designed and developed various community-based programs on social and health issues for teachers, mothers, nurses and NGOs
• Organized and facilitated workshops for the health workers on Routine immunization, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), HIV/AIDS and Control of Diarrheal Diseases (CDD) and other primary health care services intervention
• Carried out additional work stream assigned to me by the state / LGA team members, as the need would arise

Achievements / Results:

• Successfully carried out 1,974 major operations during the 10 years of service
• Facilitated the establishment and completion of a 72 bed-spaced General Hospital before my exit from the LGA on transfer of service to the Federal Government, as against the health post I met when I reported for my one-year mandatory NYSC service year.

• Led work of medical team of Guyuk health post in Guyuk LGA, Adamawa state, as the Youth Corper Doctor posted to the Local Government Authority (LGA)
• Handled both medical and surgical cases
• Planned, monitored / supervised health facilities within the Local Government Area (LGA); and effected data collection and analysis
• Coordinated the implementation of malaria programmes in Guyuk LGA
• Designed and developed various community-based programs on social and health issues for teachers, mothers, nurses and NGOs
• Carried out any additional work stream assigned to me by the state / LGA team members, as the need would arise

Achievements / Results:

• Received Chairman’s (Governor’s) award as the best serving National Youth Service Corp member in Gongola (now Adamawa and Taraba) state for excellence during the 1989/90 National Youth Service Corp

• Worked in rotational postings to Surgical, Medical, Pediatrics and Gynecological units as medical officer
• Attended to medical, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and surgical cases as required by the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council guidelines
• Carried out any additional work stream assigned to me by the state / LGA team members, as the need would arise

Achievements / Results:

• Completed clinical rotations and registered as Medical Practitioner with the Nigerian Medical Association.