Abubakar appointed CEPI CEO
Analysis based on 8 articles · First reported Aug 14, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026
The appointment of a new CEO at CEPI is unlikely to have a direct impact on financial markets, but it may influence investor sentiment in the vaccine development and pandemic preparedness sectors. The transition is expected to be smooth, with a carefully managed handover, and Abubakar's expertise is likely to maintain CEPI's strategic direction.
Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, a Nigerian epidemiologist and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). He will join CEPI in March 2027 and assume the role in April 2027, succeeding Dr Richard Hatchett, who has led the organization since its establishment in 2017. President Bola Tinubu congratulated Abubakar, describing the appointment as a significant recognition of Nigeria's growing contribution to global health leadership. Abubakar brings over three decades of experience in medicine, infectious disease epidemiology, public health research, policy, and international health leadership. He has served as Director of the UCL Institute for Global Health and Dean of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences. CEPI, founded in 2017, finances and coordinates the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and played a significant role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The appointment is expected to strengthen CEPI's efforts to develop vaccines and improve preparedness against epidemics and pandemics, and to enhance Nigeria's voice in global health discussions.
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