Our Team

The people behind the evidence.

BIGHR brings together researchers, public health professionals, data scientists, health systems experts, implementation scientists, and other specialists committed to improving health through evidence.

Leadership

CEO / Executive Director

Dr. Ezekiel Oisagah Ayo, PhD

Dr. Ezekiel Oisagah Ayo is an environmental microbiologist and academic researcher with a PhD from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. His research spans environmental and water microbiology, wastewater and physicochemical assessment, petroleum and soil microbiology, and biodegradation science, with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. As CEO/Executive Director of the Beacon Institute for Global Health Research (BIGH-R), he brings academic leadership experience to guide the institute's strategic direction, research quality, and evidence-driven approach to global health challenges.

Research Director

Omokide Akeem, Pharm.D, MPH

Omokide is a licensed pharmacist (BPharm, PharmD) and public health specialist (MPH in view) with over five years of experience in donor-funded health programmes spanning HIV, immunization, RMNCAH+N, and health systems strengthening. As Research Director at BIGH-R, he provides technical leadership in research, data analytics, implementation research, and evidence translation. His expertise in Excel, Power BI, Python, and digital health systems has supported programmes across more than 500 health facilities and strengthened real-time data use for decision-making. His research interests include health systems strengthening, digital health, medicines and supply chains, implementation science, and equitable access to quality healthcare.

Consultant

Abubakar Sani, BPharm, MPH, PMD Pro®

Abubakar Sani holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Ahmadu Bello University, allowing him to integrate academic knowledge with practical expertise to contribute to public health system strengthening. With core competencies in healthcare financing, supply chain management, and data analysis, he is committed to advancing equitable healthcare access through collaborative efforts and technical innovation.

Research Consultant

Eze Martins, B.Pharm, MPH, MSc

Martins Eze is a licensed pharmacist and public health supply chain strategist with experience across Global Fund, USAID/PEPFAR, and WHO-aligned programmes in Nigeria. As Research Consultant at BIGH-R, he provides technical leadership in health supply chain strengthening, process improvement, knowledge management, and emerging AI-enabled solutions for public health systems. His work focuses on strengthening institutional knowledge, transforming standard operating procedures into practical decision-support tools, and improving supply chain maturity from policy to last-mile delivery. He is passionate about building resilient African healthcare systems equipped with intelligent processes, effective knowledge infrastructure, and the capacity to adapt to an AI-enabled future.

Chief Financial Officer

Ogbuehi Chibuzor Sarah, BSc, ACCA

As Chief Financial Officer of BIGH-R, she oversees the institute's financial operations with hands-on expertise in financial reconciliation, grant and donor fund management, invoice processing, accounting audits, and regulatory compliance. She ensures accurate financial reporting across research portfolios, supports billing operations for funded projects, and maintains robust internal controls aligned with donor and institutional requirements. Adept in Microsoft Excel and digital financial platforms, she is passionate about delivering timely, accurate, and transparent financial services that strengthen BIGH-R's mission to advance evidence-based global health research.

Director of Scientific Affairs & Publications

Dr. Goodluck Ifijeh, PhD

Dr. Goodluck Ifijeh is a researcher, librarian, and information science professional with expertise in scholarly communication, research information management, digital knowledge systems, and knowledge dissemination. He holds a PhD in Library and Information Studies from the University of Ibadan and has an extensive record of scholarly publications covering digital libraries, institutional repositories, open access, health information, e-learning, and research productivity. As Director of Research Information & Scientific Communications at BIGH-R, he leads efforts to strengthen research visibility, scientific communication, knowledge management, publication development, and dissemination of evidence. His work supports BIGH-R's commitment to ensuring that research evidence is accessible, effectively communicated, and translated into impact.

Research Team

A growing, multidisciplinary network.

Our multidisciplinary approach enables us to examine complex health challenges from different perspectives and develop solutions that are scientifically rigorous and practically relevant.

EpidemiologyPublic healthHealth systemsImplementation sciencePharmaceutical systemsDigital healthHealth economicsStatisticsData scienceMonitoring & evaluationKnowledge translation

Join Us

We are building a team of researchers and professionals committed to advancing global health through evidence. Explore open opportunities and ways to work with BIGHR.

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