Gabriel Adewale O. Bsc. (UniAbuja) Ms. in-view (NOUN)
Gabriel Adewale O. is an accomplished public health professional, executive leader, and development practitioner with a distinguished record of advancing health outcomes, strengthening health systems, and championing community engagement initiatives across Nigeria. With over seven years of professional experience spanning immunization programs, disease control, health systems strengthening, and organizational leadership, Gabriel has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and community-driven impact.
He currently serves as the Executive Director of Involve Community Engagement Initiative (ICEI), where he leads the strategic direction, governance, and operations of the organization. In this role, Gabriel drives resource mobilization, builds multi-sector partnerships, designs and oversees impactful programs, and amplifies community voices through advocacy at local, national, and international forums. His leadership is grounded in inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that ICEI remains a trusted partner for both communities and stakeholders.
Over the course of his career, Gabriel has held technical and supervisory positions with leading global health organizations. He has served as a State Technical Facilitator with the World Health Organization (WHO), where he supported immunization campaigns, trained health workers, supervised vaccination teams, and designed evidence-based strategies to improve coverage. He worked as a State Master Trainer and Supervisor with the John Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), leading the introduction of the HPV vaccine in schools and communities, conducting sensitization campaigns, and engaging media to tackle myths and misconceptions around immunization.
In addition, Gabriel has worked with Sydani Initiative for International Development as a Service Delivery Consultant on the COVID-19 Vaccine Ramp-Up Project and as an LGA Supervisor on the STRICAN Project, providing technical leadership to vaccination teams and strengthening routine immunization activities. His consultancy with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) on Zero-Dose Assessments and his role as a State Field Consultant with Malaria Consortium further showcase his expertise in data-driven public health programming, qualitative and quantitative research, and stakeholder engagement.
Earlier in his career, Gabriel served as a National Management Support Team Member under the Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and the National Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) Program. There, he played a crucial role in polio eradication efforts, supportive supervision, community mobilization, and disease surveillance. These experiences have provided him with deep insights into the dynamics of primary healthcare delivery, routine immunization systems, and public health emergency response at both national and sub-national levels.
Gabriel is academically grounded with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Abuja and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health at the National Open University of Nigeria. He complements his academic journey with a wide range of certifications, including training in community organization, management strategies, brand management (London Business School), soft skills development (Jobberman/MasterCard Foundation), behavior change (Imperial College London), and immunization-specific certifications from WHO, CHAI, and John Hopkins IVAC.
His contributions to knowledge and research include co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals, notably “An Overview of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Its Mystery” and “Rising Cases of Antibiotics Self-Medication and Its Associated Predicament.” He is also a Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellow, selected among ten fellows from the Global South to conduct pioneering research on the effects of hot climate on dietary practices of breastfeeding mothers and the health outcomes of their breastfed children in Niger State, Nigeria.
Gabriel is a member of the American Society for Microbiology and a collaborator with the Global Burden of Diseases Network, positioning him within global communities of practice. He has also participated in international conferences, including the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), the Future of Health Conference, and Infection Prevention and Control convenings by Africa CDC.
Fluent in English and Yoruba, with working proficiency in Hausa and French, Gabriel thrives in multicultural environments and brings excellent communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills to his work. He is recognized as a strategic thinker, a problem solver, and a mentor who fosters inclusive organizational cultures. His professional competencies span program design and implementation, resource mobilization, advocacy, data management, and crisis response, all underpinned by a passion for improving the lives of children, women, and marginalized communities.
At his core, Gabriel is a visionary leader and changemaker committed to leveraging his expertise to influence health systems, strengthen community resilience, and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His career journey continues to reflect his belief that sustainable impact lies at the intersection of evidence, innovation, and community participation.
