Dr. Cyril Unogu: First National Coordinator NBTS. 1996-2005
Dr. Unogu first served in Nigeria’s Blood Service as the Secretary of the Task Force on the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) which was inaugurated in June 1990 by Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti under the chairmanship of Prof. Aba Sagoe. It was during his time as National Coordinator that sites for the NBTS Centres in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones were identified, and the NBTS Desk in the Department of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health was opened. In addition, under his leadership, the Abuja Demonstration Centre of NBTS commenced operations, and the first blood donation from a voluntary unpaid blood donor at NBTS was received.
Late. Dr. Folake Ademola-Majekodunmi: National Coordinator NBTS 2005-2009
Dr Ademola-Majekodunmi worked assiduously with her dedicated and proficient team to establish functional centres in Abuja, Kaduna, Owerri. Ibadan, Jos, Benin-City Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Abeokuta, Potiskum-Nangere, Sokoto, Ado-Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, and Calabar Centres. Sites for Yola, Jalingo and Ilorin. Centres were identified in 2009 just a little while before she retired from active service. She was instrumental to the movement of the NBTS desk office to its present location at Wuse zone 3.
Dr. Ifeoma Aisha Ogbue: National Coordinator NBTS 2009 – 2012
During her tenure she established Secondary School Blood Safety programme which was designed as a creative way of catching the young ones at their early age so that at the age of 18 they would have received sufficient information that would enhance their likelihood of becoming regular non remunerative blood donors. She also recognised the need for influencers in awareness creation of the activities of NBTS, and subsequently she established a pool of NBTS ambassadors. The programme was targeted at prominent Nigerians whose voices would echo the activities of the NBTS nationwide.
Dr. Ogbue also launched a collaboration programme between the NBTS and transportation companies in Nigeria. By this collaboration, transporters allowed NBTS to distribute their IEC materials to their passengers for awareness creation. During her time as National Coordinator, NBTS worked to set standards for collection, transportation, processing, screening, storage and distribution of safe blood and blood components. Additionally, she intently worked with traditional rulers for grass root mobilization of blood donors.
Dr Oluwatoyin Smith: National Coordinator NBTS 2012-2020
Dr. Smith through close collaborations with international development organizations such as the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations, USAID and the diplomatic corps of various countries, directed NBTS operations across the country’s seventeen blood transfusion centres across the six geopolitical zones. She led the design and implementation of various programs targeted at increasing the availability of safe blood services in hard-to-reach communities in Nigeria, especially those affected by insurgency. During her time as National Coordinator, a self-accounting system for the NBSA was established. She also worked tirelessly towards the absorption of NBSA staff into the civil service, and the process of getting the NBSA Bill signed into law began under her leadership.
Dr. Amedu, Omale Joseph mni.
Dr. Amedu, Omale Joseph was the Acting Director General of the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) between July 2020 to August 25th 2023.
Fully aware of the need for blood in emergency services, and that the availability and accessibility of safe and quality blood and blood products will enhance improved healthcare in Nigeria, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Dr. Amedu immediately initiated and produced a 10-year strategic plan, to be achieved through the One Million Safe Blood Units Initiative. This will lead to establishment of a National Strategic Blood Reserve to be warehoused in the 6-geopolitical zones and to be mobilized for use at times of disasters and other mass casualties. As an experienced administrator and manager of resources, he is implementing strong administrative and structural reforms that will galvanize the Commission into results-oriented agency. A team player, who does not accept no for an answer but ensures diligent strategic thinking outside the box to get results.
Since assumption if office, he has advanced strong governance and structural changes at both the NBSC Headquarters and Zonal offices through coordination to provide safe, quality and adequate supply of blood, and blood components such as red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. Some of his strategies towards Aligning NBSC with international best practices are in the areas of efficiency, effectiveness and institutionalized sustainable blood services, robust regulatory framework and regulation of blood establishment, good quality, safe and sustainable blood supply, building a high- performance organization with well-motivated personnel and establishment of a national strategic safe blood reserve for emergencies.
Dr. Amedu previously served in different capacities at various health facilities from 1990-2020 before his present appointment at the NBSC. His leadership drive commenced during his early days in college from the year 1980 till date. He has served as Secretary and Chairman of various committees and has led several Nigerian delegations to international conferences and meetings. In the early years of his career in the Federal Ministry of Health, he held various positions namely: Head of Federal Staff Clinic, Head of Emergency Response Team, Director and Head of Regulation and Professional Schools, Director and Head of Trauma, Emergency Response and Disaster management, Director, Tertiary Hospital Division, Department of Hospital Services (FMoH); and then Director and head of Hospital Services Department.
Dr. Amedu graduated from the University of Jos with an MB, Bch degree in 1989. He proceeded to Liverpool, UK for a Postgraduate Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine & Venereology (GUM/V) in 1999. In order to strengthen his administrative and human relations skills, he bagged a Masters and a Ph.D. degree in Public Administration and International Relations from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye and Atlantic International University, Honolulu, Hawaii USA in 2004 and 2013 respectively. He also possesses other Diplomas and Certificate from various Countries which have boosted his proficiency as a leader and an advocate for positive change and development.
He is a member of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru (mni), is passionate about saving lives, and keenly interested in selfless service to humanity. Dr. Amedu is happily married with children.
Dr. Suberu E.J (MD) Ag. Director General NBSC:
Dr. Suberu is the Ag. Director General of the National Blood Service Commission. He came into the Blood Service as Head of Clinical Services in July 2020. He is an excellent and confident physician with over Twenty-Nine years working experience in the clinical setting at the local, state and national levels. He holds an MD degree from State Medial University, Odessa, Ukraine, (USSR) and MPH/FE (Feltep) form Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria.
Prior to his present appointment as the Acting Director General, he has served as pioneer medical doctor and Head of Clinic at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development staff clinic Abuja between 2014-2019. He was also a pioneer Doctor and Head of Hospital at the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Staff Hospital Apo Legislative Quarters and at Gwarimpa Federal Staff Clinic between 1998-2008. Dr. Suberu is a highly skilled and competent epidemiologist committed to providing communities and medical professionals valuable information regarding the spread and containment of diseases.
His skills and experiences in the clinical setting has exposed him to the complexities of blood donation and transfusion services in Nigeria. Since he joined the NBSC team he has ensured a system of blood donor mobilization and motivation based on low-risk voluntary non-remunerated donation of blood which is projected for the establishment of culture of voluntary blood donation among Nigeria.
As the current Lead Boss of the NBSC, Dr. Suberu is passionate about achieving The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through availability and sustainability of blood and blood products in Nigeria. His furthermost vision for the future of the NBSC is that the commission leads in ensuring a steady supply of safe and quality blood for Nigeria’s Healthcare System by leading a world class regulatory structure for the NBSC.
