Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba Elected to Global Health Security Agenda Consortium Board: A Milestone for African Leadership

By SIDES News Desk, July 13, 2025

In a monumental achievement for public health leadership in Africa, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, a highly respected health advocate and Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has been elected as Secretary and Member of the Board of Directors of the Global Health Security Agenda Consortium (GHSAC).

The news was officially conveyed on July 1st, 2025 by Dr. Jennyfer Ambe, Chair of the GHSAC Board, signifying a major milestone for both Nigeria and the broader African health landscape. This election is not only a personal triumph for Dr. Magashi but also a powerful recognition of Africa’s growing influence in shaping the future of global health security.

A Voice for the Global South

Dr. Magashi’s appointment is a testament to years of consistent work in promoting health accountability, transparency, and effective budgeting across the African continent. As the leader of AHBN, a network known for strengthening citizen and civil society engagement in health sector planning and financing, Dr. Magashi has played a pivotal role in elevating the voice of civil society in health governance.

Under his leadership, AHBN has co-organized landmark initiatives, including Nigeria’s COVID-19 Conference in December 2021, and has equipped civil society organizations in eight African countries with tools to monitor and evaluate regional health security commitments. This has led to measurable improvements in governance, coordination, and transparency at the country level.

About the GHSAC

The Global Health Security Agenda Consortium is a powerful coalition of nongovernmental organizations and institutions working to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. With over 70 member countries and partners, GHSAC works alongside international bodies such as the World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, and the United Nations, promoting the implementation of global agreements including the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC).

Dr. Magashi’s election places him at the center of this international framework, giving Nigeria and the African region a strategic opportunity to influence global policy, drive health equity, and promote stronger representation of the Global South in high-level decision-making platforms.

SIDES’ Perspective

At Sustainable Innovation and Development Solutions (SIDES), we see Dr. Magashi’s election as a beacon of hope and a validation of African innovation, commitment, and leadership in global public health.

“This achievement reflects what we at SIDES have always believed: that African solutions and leadership are central to building a safer and more resilient world. Dr. Magashi’s voice on the GHSAC board will ensure that grassroots accountability and South-South collaboration remain at the forefront of the global health agenda,” said Dr Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Senior Vision Director at SIDES.

A Future of Stronger Collaboration

Dr. Magashi also serves as a member of Nigeria’s Sector Wide Approach (SWaP) Technical Working Group on Health Security, and is an active member of global coalitions such as the Global Health Council, CORE Group, and PMNCH, where he continues to amplify learning, accountability, and capacity development.

As he steps into this new role, expectations are high for stronger partnerships, more inclusive engagement, and effective resource mobilization for health security—especially in under-resourced regions.

SIDES celebrates this outstanding achievement and reaffirms its commitment to working alongside visionary leaders like Dr. Magashi to promote sustainable, inclusive, and accountable development in Africa and beyond.

About SIDES:

Sustainable Innovation and Development Solutions (SIDES) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing human development through innovative programs in health, education, leadership, gender equity, and social accountability. Based in Kano, Nigeria.

SIDES works with communities, institutions, and partners to deliver impact-driven solutions to some of the most pressing challenges across Africa.