Dr. Annette Ofunne Akinsete has been the CEO/National Director of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria for several years, where she continues to propel successful innovative strategies for the prevention, management, care and support, as well as cure for sickle cell disorder through – inter alia – Public Private Partnerships, Arts in Medicine initiatives and Family Support Systems. As Co-Chair of the Top Management Committee of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria/LUTH BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) Programme (the first comprehensive BMT Programme for sickle cell disease in Africa), Akinsete provides the required critical, institutional oversight for the initiative. Under her watch, the first couple of transplant procedures have commenced.
Annette Akinsete is a woman of many parts; she is – inter alia – a Consultant Public Health Physician, an astute Administrator, a Teacher and a Broadcaster. A distinguished Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, she was Director in the Public Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health for many years, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria at several multi-lateral and bilateral engagements all over the world.
As a Public Health Physician, Akinsete has worked in every level of government in Nigeria – from local, State to Federal levels. At global level, she has contributed to World Health Organisation (WHO) publications on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), served as WHO Fellow in Geneva and as UN Cares Facilitator at the United Nations HQ in New York.
Dr. Akinsete, who is a member of several professional bodies and a Commissioner of the Nigeria NCDI Poverty Commission, is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the Eko University of Medicine, a member of the Board of the University of Ibadan Research Foundation, an Executive of NCD Alliance Nigeria, and a Global Facilitator of GANSID (Global Action Network for Sickle Cell & other Inherited Diseases). She is a key resource person for the West African Health Organisation and represents Women’s Board at the United Nations.
A Chartered Management Consultant, a Certified Genetic Counsellor and a recipient of numerous awards, Akinsete continues to be involved in the formation of young girls as a Brownie Owl.
She has been happily married to Captain Sina Akinsete for many years.
