Adaeze Oreh

About

Professor of Medicine, presenting doctoral research in Global Health at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (University of Groningen [UG]) in the Netherlands. Following the 2026 Executive Council dissolution, she recently completed a two-year stint as Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Nigeria where she conceptualised the #Health4AllRivers strategy and was responsible for driving the healthcare policy of the Government of Rivers State. As Commissioner, she oversaw a complex network of health facilities and health training institutes for a population of nearly 10 million people (4% of Nigeria's population), and one of the country's top ten most populous states. Her role involved tackling health indices such as low life expectancy rates, high general and under-five mortality rates, and one of the highest rates of maternal mortality nationwide. Prof. Oreh now channels her policy experience into the academic arena - shaping the next generation of Nigerian physicians and advancing her second doctoral research in Global health systems at the University of Groningen.Adaeze is also a Consultant Family Physician, Public Policy Specialist, Rural and Global Health & Development Advocate, Senior Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Global Innovators Group, Amujae Leader with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, 2021 Montegut Global Scholar Award recipient, 2023 Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Fellow, and 2025 recipient of the Most Influential Persons of African Descent Philanthropy and Social Impact Class, with over two decades’ experience in health management in both public and private health care organisations in Nigeria.With a clear focus on health systems strengthening and policy, financing, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health; mental health and tropical infectious diseases and having authored over 450 policy briefs over the course of her public health leadership, she is open to research collaborations, speaking engagements, and advisory partnerships in global health. Connect via LinkedIn DM or explore her publications at Researchgate or Google Scholar. “Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” - Golda Meir