Competence Portfolio of Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje [2025Q3]

 

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje

Global Health and Dev’t Projects Consultant | Conferences Organizer | Trainer| Facilitator | Researcher | M&E Expert | Civil Society Leader | Policy Advocate

📞 +2348034725905/✉️ druzoadirieje2015@gmail.com/🟢 +2347015530362/🌐 https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com

 

Brief Competence Portfolio of Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje

 

1. Global Health and Health Systems Strengthening

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje has consistently advanced the global health agenda and strengthened health systems in Nigeria and across Africa. He coordinated Nigeria’s Universal Health Coverage Actions Group (NUHCAG) policy advocacy campaigns, with support from ICRC and UNAIDS, which influenced the adoption of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). Through Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), he partnered with the European Union (EU) and UNDP to strengthen community health systems, improving access to primary healthcare for underserved populations. His work integrates advocacy, policy, and service delivery, ensuring sustainable and equitable health outcomes.

 

2. Development Consultancy and Project Management

Dr. Adirieje has extensive experience as a consultant to governments, donors, and international organizations. He served as National Consultant on the “Scaling Up HIV Prevention” project, providing technical guidance and ensuring policy alignment. He also designed and managed Global Fund–supported HIV/AIDS community response projects, overseeing proposal development, budgeting, implementation, and M&E. His consultancy services consistently deliver evidence-based solutions and project outcomes that improve health and development systems.

 

3. Civil Society Leadership

As Founder and CEO of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), Dr. Adirieje has built a pan-African CSO network of over 1,000 member organizations in 40+ African countries. Under his leadership, AHOA has become a strong platform for civil society advocacy, collaboration, and capacity building in health, environment, and governance. He has represented African CSOs at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the SDGs, ensuring grassroots voices influence global policy processes. His inclusive leadership continues to empower civil society for transformative change.

 

4. Research and Evidence (conferences, workshops, seminars, symposiums, dialogues)

Dr. Adirieje has led numerous research, conferences, workshops, seminars, symposiums, dialogues) and evaluation projects that have shaped policy and practice. He conducted baseline and operational research on HIV/AIDS and malaria for Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, generating evidence that informed national programming. He authored policy briefs and evaluation reports on UHC and SDGs that guided government and donor decision-making. His ability to translate data into actionable insights demonstrates his commitment to evidence-based development.

 

5. Capacity Building and Training

With decades of experience in training and mentorship, Dr. Adirieje has built the capacity of individuals, institutions, and communities across Africa. He designed and facilitated training programs for CSOs and community leaders under the UNDP Small Grants Programme, covering governance, M&E, and climate-health linkages. He also facilitated regional workshops on health systems strengthening and advocacy, equipping CSOs with tools to engage effectively in policy and program implementation.

 

6. Climate Change, Environment, Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Dr. Adirieje has demonstrated strong leadership in climate and environmental governance. He coordinated the participation of African CSOs at the 29^th Conference of Parties (COP29) of the UNFCCC held in Azerbaijan, where he addressed three media engagements/press conferences, speaking for indigenous peoples, enabling CSOs to influence climate policies at the global level. He has also led community biodiversity restoration initiatives in the Niger Delta, combining reforestation, renewable energy promotion, and health awareness campaigns. His work ensures the integration of environmental sustainability with human development.

 

7. Communication, Advocacy, and Social/Behaviour Change

Dr. Adirieje is an expert in strategic communication and social behavior change (SBC). He designed nationwide HIV/AIDS SBC campaigns with support from the Global Fund and UN agencies, which significantly improved awareness and prevention practices. He also spearheaded advocacy for increased health financing in Nigeria, engaging legislators and the media to prioritize funding for vulnerable populations. His communication efforts bridge policy gaps and mobilize action for social transformation.

 

8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Dr. Adirieje has built strong systems of accountability through MEL. He developed MEL frameworks for EU-funded governance and climate projects, ensuring transparency and impact tracking. He conducted end-line evaluations of community health interventions, producing lessons that informed replication and scale-up. His participatory MEL approach strengthens institutional learning and adaptive management in diverse projects.

 

9. Community Engagement, Governance, and Conflict Management

Through participatory approaches, Dr. Adirieje has successfully bridged divides between stakeholders in resource-sensitive contexts. He’s working to facilitate dialogue platforms between oil companies and host communities in Imo State, reducing tensions and fostering corporate-community partnerships. He also implemented governance-strengthening programs, enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. His conflict management skills have consistently promoted peace and inclusive governance.

 

10. Sustainable Development, Livelihoods, and Partnerships

Dr. Adirieje has championed livelihood empowerment and partnership-building as drivers of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He coordinated women and youth livelihood initiatives in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, in oil-producing communities, enabling entrepreneurship, cooperative development, and economic resilience. He has also forged multi-stakeholder partnerships with governments, CSOs, and donors such as UNDP, EU, WHO, and African civil society networks to drive SDG implementation. His work aligns economic empowerment with environmental and social sustainability.

 

11. Knowledge Management

Dr. Adirieje is deeply committed to knowledge management as a catalyst for development. He established the Afrihealth CSO Knowledge Hub, a digital repository for lessons learned and best practices across Africa and Global South. He regularly produces and disseminates articles, position papers, policy briefs, newsletters, and publications that translate research into accessible tools for decision-makers and communities. His leadership in knowledge management ensures continuous learning and informed action across sectors.

 

Conclusion

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje’s competence portfolio reflects a unique combination of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and inclusive engagement across health, climate change, governance, environment, gender, and sustainable development. Through his roles in global health advocacy, consultancy, civil society leadership, climate action, research, training, and partnerships, he has consistently delivered impactful results that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His competence is demonstrated not only through technical outputs but also through the transformation of lives, institutions, and communities in Nigeria, across Africa and beyond.