Organization: SSDP International
Region: Africa
Nationality: Nigeria
Country: Nigeria
Interests & expertise: Co-infections (TB, hepatitis, STIs, etc.)
Profession or occupation: Advocate/activist
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
Having a background in public health gave me deep insight into the world of infectious diseases, especially HIV. I became more passionate and inspired to work in the field when I started my volunteering journey with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and the Today for Tomorrow Foundation (TFTF). I strongly advocate for harm reduction for people who use and/or inject drugs through my work with SSDP, and implement sexual and reproductive health and rights programming for street children and young people through my work with TFTF.
My passion found more expression when I met street children who are living with HIV and using drugs. We have sadly recorded the death of some kids as a result of drug overdose and HIV. My motivation lies in the death of those lovely kids with so much potential. I do not want to see death in any age group caused by HIV or drug overdose again.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
As an IAS change maker, my goals are to:
- Unify public health, harm reduction and human rights harmoniously for the ultimate benefit of people living with HIV and people who use drugs.
- Inspire young people to be agents of change as they meaningfully get engaged with HIV programming, especially around preventive science and vaccine development.
- Ignite a need among stakeholders to adequately factor in the need to target vulnerable and marginalized populations, such as young people in refugee settlements and rural Africa.
- Create and generate an evidence base through the work I do, using research as an advocacy tool to inform policies around HIV prevention and health systems in the global South.