Prof Nusirat Elelu: A Public Health Expert with a touch of professionalism

By Ayantunde Ayangbayi, JP

An Outstanding woman of impact with huge dose of fortitude could describe the rare attributes of Dr. Nusirat Elelu.

The one woman who is passionate about every assignment she undertakes and ensures that diligence, honesty and ingenuity remains her working tools.

The celebrated public health expert is a professor of veterinary medicine who hails from Kwara State is one of the youngest in Nigeria, she is educationally sound and exposed.

Gladly, the first female professor of veterinary medicine and currently, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWPHCDA).

As an excellent communicator and amiable personality, the Epidemiologist performs her duties at the agency as a good team player, reassures members of staff, consultants, citizen and alike. She cultivated not just a reputation for leadership, but for steadiness – an increasingly rare quality in Nigeria dynamic public service system and health professionalized terrain.

This journalist was opportune sometimes last year (9th July, 2025) to cross path with the Professor of public health and preventive medicine at the Community Health Institute (CHI) programme in collaboration with the community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) & Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN) One day Sensitation programme with theme: Strengthening the Nigeria Health System, the roles of Community Health Practitioners on Wednesday 9th July, 2025 at the Kwara State Ministry of Health Cooperative Hall, Ilorin.

Her carriage, comportment, dress code, diligent contributions at the programme was commendable and impressive with deep reflection of what the profession of Community of Health Practitioner should be in the country and to the society.

This piece becomes highly imperative to focus Professor Nusirat Elelu, her job, distinguished career and her wonderful contributions at the Kwara State Primary Health Care development Agency (KWPHCDA) with her blossom leadership that centered and encourages accountability and feedback.

No wonder, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, (CON), Executive Governor of Kwara State, Chairman, Nigerian Governor Forum (NGF), Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, said, “Professor Nusirat Elelu’s feat & academic excellence is not surprising as she has played significant roles in her profession giving her brilliance, dedication, hardwork, love for humanity and impressive achievements at the agency, she is a material for international appointment”.

This journalist in a chat with some health educators, Community Health Practitioners, Lecturers, Administrators and Policy Makers in the Health Care Sector, got their opinions about the Executive Secretary, “very skillful and respectful, highly professional with midas touch and first female professor of veterinary medicine in Kwara State, who made history as the youngest in the country, she is our ambassador plenipotentiary at all times”.

Community health plays a vital role in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) particularly SDG3: Good Health and well-being by ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being. Community health workers contribute significantly to reducing mortality rates, improving maternal and child health and combating diseases.

As she marches on, her leadership at the agency will continue to drive Primary Health Care initiatives that includes infectious diseases, Epidemiology, Vaccinations and good health policy reforms across the sixteen (16) LGA’s of the state of harmony to a commendable heights.

A quite administrator with deep involvement in community development, highly cerebrally endowed gentle lady of substance, colourful technocrat and role model to many with doggedness of character with outstanding performance will continue to excel as a celebrated Public Health Expert with professionalism.

May Professor Nusirat Elelu continue to bring recognition and glory to her Alma mata, profession, families, Ilorin Emirate, the state of harmony as she strives passionately for excellence in contributing her quota to nation building.

May the presence of Almighty Allah never depart her household, Amin.

Ayangbayi, JP, is an Ilorin based journalist and Media Consultant