Abdul Adama

Public Health Nutrition Specialist with over 20 years of experience in nutrition, maternal and child health, and humanitarian health programming in Nigeria. Extensive expertise in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), and Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM). Proven track record of providing technical leadership, program coordination, and capacity building for national and international health and nutrition interventions.

Experienced in working with government institutions and humanitarian organizations including the Nigerian Red Cross Society, UNICEF, World Health Organization, and the International Committee of the Red Cross in both development and emergency contexts. Strong background in nutrition in emergencies, health system strengthening, community-based health programming, and humanitarian response coordination, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Northern Nigeria.

Project Coordinator – Community Health & MNCH+N at Nigerian Red Cross Society (2022-05 – Present)

Provide strategic and technical leadership for community-based health and nutrition programmes implemented by the Nigerian Red Cross Society across conflict-affected states in Nigeria.

• Coordinate implementation of community-based health programmes aimed at improving access to health services for vulnerable and conflict-affected populations.
• Provide technical oversight to project officers and volunteers implementing health and nutrition interventions in Benue, Adamawa, and Borno States.
• Lead monitoring, supervision, and reporting of community health programmes implemented by headquarters and branch teams.
• Facilitate training of volunteers on community health promotion, disease surveillance, case management, and emergency response.
• Strengthen collaboration with government health authorities and humanitarian partners for coordinated health interventions.
• Represent the organization in national coordination platforms and health sector forums.
• Support programme planning, budgeting, proposal development, and donor reporting.
• Strengthened community-based health interventions in conflict-affected communities through improved volunteer engagement and supervision.
• Provided technical support to branch teams for development of operational plans and project proposals.
• Led monitoring missions and improved reporting systems for community-based health programmes.
• Facilitated training of volunteers on epidemic preparedness, disease surveillance, and community engagement.
• Supported implementation of emergency health interventions including outbreak response and community-based surveillance.

Assistant Coordinator – Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding (MIYCF) & Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) at Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria (2021-11 – 2022-05)

Supported the coordination and implementation of national nutrition programmes within the Nutrition Division.

• Supported implementation of national nutrition interventions under the RMNCAH+N strategy.
• Coordinated activities related to CMAM and MIYCF programming across states.
• Provided technical support to state ministries of health and development partners.
• Contributed to development of national nutrition workplans and programme strategies.
• Facilitated coordination meetings with partners involved in nutrition programme implementation.
• Provided technical leadership for scale-up of CMAM and IYCF interventions across multiple states.
• Strengthened collaboration between government institutions and development partners working in nutrition.

National Coordinator – Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) & Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) at Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria (2006-01 – 2018-06)

Led national coordination of child health strategies aimed at reducing child morbidity and mortality.

• Coordinated implementation of national IMCI and iCCM programmes across Nigeria.
• Led development and revision of policies, guidelines, and training materials for child health interventions.
• Provided technical assistance to states and LGAs on implementation of child survival strategies.
• Organized capacity building programmes for health workers and community resource persons.
• Coordinated collaboration with international partners including UNICEF, World Health Organization and other development partners.
• Expanded national coverage of IMCI implementation from 6 states in 2005 to all 36 states and the FCT by 2010.
• Contributed to establishment of the first federal budget allocation for child health programmes.
• Led development and implementation of Community IMCI initiatives nationwide.
• Coordinated training of health workers and midwives under the national Midwives Service Scheme.

Senior LGA Facilitator – Nutrition Programme at UNICEF (2018-07 – 2019-12)

Supported implementation of emergency nutrition programmes at LGA level.

• Supervised implementation of CMAM and IYCF programmes in supported health facilities.
• Provided supportive supervision and mentoring to health workers and ward nutrition focal persons.
• Monitored day-to-day implementation of nutrition interventions and programme reporting.
• Ensured availability and monitoring of nutrition commodities including RUTF and micronutrient powders.
• Coordinated nutrition activities between LGAs, communities, and humanitarian partners.
• Strengthened quality of CMAM services through regular supportive supervision.
• Provided on-the-job training to health workers on MUAC screening and malnutrition detection.
• Contributed to development of workplans for UNICEF nutrition programmes in Kaduna Field Office.

PhD in Public Health Nutrition (In View) – Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria (2028)

MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics – Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria (2021)

Postgraduate Diploma in Food Science & Technology – University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria (2013)

Higher National Diploma in Food Science & Technology – Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria (2000)