Today, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone—one year of impactful leadership by Dr. Temitope Ilori as the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
In just twelve months, Dr. Ilori has redefined commitment, dedication, and vision in public health. Her tenure has been marked by exceptional performance, health reengineering, and aggressive health promotion initiatives, setting NACA on a new path of progress and renewed hope for millions.
Under her purposeful guidance, NACA has intensified efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS, strengthening partnerships, advancing prevention strategies, and expanding access to life-saving treatments. Communities across Nigeria are witnessing the positive outcomes of her inclusive and evidence-based approaches.
Dr Temitope llori was born in Ila-Orangun to the family of Chief and Mrs Adebisi Bamdele Akande. In 2012, she won the prize of “The Best Graduating Fellow in Family Medicine at the 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in Accra, Ghana
Dr llori as a ‘conscientious and highly resourceful Family Physician with experience in public administration and health promotion. In addition, she is an “outstanding professional in primary health care and Women’s Health and HIV Medicine”. “A self-motivated expert with excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Dr. Temitope always promotes teamwork and motivates other team members to achieve organisational goals. This is one of her leadership qualities.
The acclaimed World Health Organization (WHO) expert is very proficient at giving superior oral and power presentations to various audiences, even at inconvenient times. Her meteoric rise began in 1992 when she got a Bachelor of Science, BSc. Hons) degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Ibadan. She backed it up with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the same University in 2005. She worked as a Family Medicine Resident Doctor at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. She capped her academic laurel with the Fellow, West African College of Physician (FWACP)
In her capacity when she was a Commissioner for Health in Osun State. Dr Ilori’s sense of managing both human and material resources to achieve organizational goals is unparalleled in the state. She fostered collaboration between the Federal and Local Governments in the State in her pursuit of quality health care delivery to the citizens of Osun. To achieve this goal, her Ministry partners with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to offer free Medical and Surgical treatment to thousands of patients in the state
Her other laudable achievements as Health Commissioner then include (i) periodic sensitization activities on health issues, (ii) advancement of maternal and child health in the state and continuous advocacy visits to another tier of Government, international development partnership with community leaders, which included the market women and their leaders.
As the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Osun State, Dr Temitope Ilori was the chairperson of the Osun State Agency on Control of HIV and AIDS (O SACA). She carried out the assignment diligently by launching a sensitization campaign. Against the spread of HIV infections; Enlightenment program on Micronutrient Fortification; (iii) Daily Running Of General Out Patient Clinics; (IV) Disease Surveillance and Notification at the Health Facility Level; and (V) Rural Medical Services involving Rural Surgical Practice, Medical Consultation and Primary Health Care among others.
To let others gain from her experience and expertise. Dr. (Mrs.) Temitope llori has published many books and journals for the consumption of Medical Students and researchers on Family Medicine. Her publications include (1) Family Supports and the health impact of knee osteoarthritis on adult patients: (1) A Case Book of Fifteen Patients Managed at General Outpatients Clinic. UCH, Ibadan and General hospital. Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa, Oyo State: (iii) Nutritional Status of Under-5 in a Rural Community in Nigeria: Igbo-Ora: (iv) Effects of Workload And Time Allocation on Women’s Nutrition and (v) Nutritional Assessment of Family Unit at Ajibode Village. Ibadan.
Dr. llori is a recipient of many awards among which are:
(1) West African College of Physicians (Family Medicines) Best Graduating Fellow (ii) Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Branch Meritorious Service Award: (ii) The National Association of Environmental Health Students. School of Health Technology. Ilesa – Distinguished Woman of Exploit Award: (iv) Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan’s Award of Support: (v) Nigerian Medical Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo. (OAU) Ile-lfe’s Award, which she won for two consecutive years, and (vi) The prestigious Distinguished Igbomina Person of the Year (2014).
Her love for the Ila-Orangun Community made the Osun State Government rehabilitate the State Hospital and build three Maternity Hospitals in Ila within two years.
Temitope is happily married and blessed with children.
As we mark this remarkable one-year journey, we commend Dr. Temitope Ilori for her visionary leadership, her passion for public health, and her unwavering commitment to ending AIDS in Nigeria.
The future of public health in Nigeria is brighter because of leaders like you!
Congratulations on a successful first year. The journey has just begun!
