NIGERIA—Dr. Muhammad Pate, former Minister of State for Health in Nigeria, has declined the Global Alliance Vaccines Initiative (GAVI) CEO position, GAVI has confirmed.

In February 2023, Pate was confirmed as the next Chief Executive Officer at GAVI after the current CEO, Dr. Seth Barkely’s 12-year tenure ended in August 2023.

The former Minister of State for Health may be heading back home to Nigeria to take up a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s new government.

Pate had informed the organization that he had taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria suggesting that he might be one of President Tinubu’s ministerial favourites.

This has raised speculation that he may become Nigeria’s health minister under President Bola Tinubu.

The Nigerian and global health leader, Dr. Muhamad Pate is a physician and politician who is Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership in the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard University. 

Additionally, he formerly served as the Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population and Director of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF) at the World Bank Group. 

GAVI’s loss would have been its first African lead

Gavi announced Pate as Berkley’s successor, even as it promised to continue its work to support routine immunization, outbreak response, and COVID-19 vaccinations worldwide.

Gavi, in a statement published on its website on Monday, said the board decided to appoint David Marlow, currently Gavi’s Chief Operating Officer, to the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective August 3.

“Gavi fully respects the decision and wishes Dr. Pate the very best for the future. On informing Gavi, Dr. Pate thanked the Chair of the Gavi Board, José Manuel Barroso, the diverse set of Gavi Board members and partners, current CEO Seth Berkley, and the secretariat staff for their support over the last few months, commenting that he will remain a steadfast champion of the Gavi mission,” the global alliance noted.

The Gavi Board expressed its delight that Mr. Marlow had accepted this responsibility and has full confidence in the strength of the Gavi leadership team and the Alliance to support this transition.

“The Gavi Board is committed to delivering on its mission and strategic priorities while it conducts a search for the next CEO,” the statement from GAVI said.

Gavi supports the immunization of almost half the world’s children, especially in low and middle-income countries.

Gavi has helped immunize over 760 million children, preventing over 13 million deaths worldwide, helping increase diphtheria vaccine coverage in supported countries from 59% in 2000 to 81% in 2019, contributing to reducing child mortality by half.

The Africa CDC weighs in

Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC Lead noted that following Gavi’s recent announcement on Dr. Muhammad Pate’s decision to decline his appointment as the next CEO for Gavi, he had a conversation on 26th June with his esteemed colleague and brother, Dr. Pate, regarding his decision to prioritize serving his country.

“I wholeheartedly understand and respect his choice to dedicate his efforts to Nigeria and support President Bola Tinubu,” Dr. Kaseya Statement noted.

However, Dr. Kaseya expressed his disappointment since as the first African appointed to lead the Gavi, Dr. Pate’s extensive experience and expertise would have greatly benefited Gavi, particularly in advocating for local vaccine manufacturing.

“Considering that 70% of Gavi’s operations take place in Africa, it is crucial to ensure that African voices continue to be heard and represented at the highest level,” Dr. Kaseya added.

Dr. Kaseya reiterated that the Africa CDC remained steadfast in its commitment to achieving equitable access to vaccines and would continue working diligently to advance public health throughout the continent.

“I express my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Pate for his invaluable contributions, and I wish him every success in his future endeavors. I also extend my best wishes to David Marlow for a successful tenure during his interim role as Gavi CEO,” Dr. Kaseya’s statement concluded.

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