Global Health Security  ·  IHR (2005)  ·  Health Systems Strengthening

Amarachi
Tikal Abianuru

Global Health Security & Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Supporting countries and institutions to build sustainable health systems and emergency preparedness capacity that prevents, detects, responds, and recovers from health emergencies.
Health Systems Strengthening Emergency Preparedness & Response IHR (2005) RCCE & SBCC Community Protection & Resilience Workforce Capacity Development
Abuja, Nigeria Nairobi, Kenya Available globally
Amarachi Tikal Abianuru, Global Health Security Specialist
Areas of expertise

Technical work across interconnected domains

System design, operational readiness, and the people who sustain both.

01

Health Systems Strengthening

Leadership and governance, policy dialogue, workforce development, systems strengthening, health promotion, implementation support, operational coordination, digital learning systems, and public health capacity strengthening.

02

Emergency Preparedness & Response

Operationalisation of the IHR (2005) for global health security, including operational readiness activities, preparedness assessments (JEE, simulation exercises, AARs, 7-1-7), and preparedness systems design.

Community Protection & Resilience, WHO HEPR Framework
RCCE & Infodemic Management
Socio-Behavioural Insights (SBI)
Community Engagement & Empowerment
03

Workforce Capacity Development

Virtual learning systems, virtual communities of practice, competency-based learning, simulation-based learning, curriculum design, instructional design, and regional emergency workforce development.

Emerging focus
Digital transformation and AI-enabled approaches for health systems strengthening, emergency preparedness and response
Amarachi Tikal Abianuru presenting at a workshop
About

Amarachi Tikal Abianuru is a public health specialist working across health systems and emergency preparedness, in line with global health security and the International Health Regulations (2005). She has supported international and national public health initiatives across all 47 African countries of the WHO African Region through technical coordination, capacity building, preparedness assessments, operational readiness, simulation exercises, and community-centred preparedness initiatives.

Her work spans two domains: health systems strengthening and emergency preparedness. Within these, she has worked across workforce development, community protection and resilience, operational readiness, and policy support, always oriented toward building sustainable institutional capacity.

Her work is headed toward the next frontier of public health systems: the integration of digital tools, AI-enabled systems, learning innovation, and emerging technologies for health systems strengthening, health emergency preparedness and response.

Master of Public Health (MPH)Reproductive and Family Health
Bachelor of Science (BSc)Public Health
WHO Leadership in Health EmergenciesPhases 1 & 2
Africa Women Health ChampionsWHO AFRO & United Nations Volunteers
Professional experience

Selected engagements

A decade of technical work across multilateral, government, and community health settings.

World Health Organisation, Regional Office for Africa
Sep 2022 – Mar 2026
Nairobi, Kenya

Training Officer, Emergency Preparedness & Response Cluster, Nairobi Hub

  • Designed and delivered health workforce capacity building programmes for Rapid Response Teams and national health personnel across 47 WHO AFRO Member States, applying adult learning methodology and simulation-based training approaches.
  • Led the design and pilot of the RRT Managers Workshop in Rwanda in partnership with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), strengthening national emergency coordination capacity.
  • Developed REACH Africa, a regional RCCE preparedness accelerator, from concept through stakeholder engagement, context analysis, and programme design.
  • Contributed to JEE, AAR, SPAR, and IAR processes, supporting analysis of health system performance, surveillance capacity, and emergency preparedness indicators across multiple countries.
  • Contributed technical inputs to Pandemic Fund proposal development across multiple Member States, supporting alignment with WHO frameworks and partner requirements.
  • Produced policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical documentation for WHO leadership, governments, and development partners.
Society for Family Health (SFH)
Jun 2021 – Mar 2022
Lagos, Nigeria

SBCC Project Officer

  • Applied socio-behavioural and community health systems approaches to adapt programme delivery in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Health, NGOs, and private sector actors.
  • Led landscape analysis of community health-seeking behaviours and communication channel effectiveness, translating evidence into programme adaptation recommendations.
  • Conducted stakeholder mapping and ecosystem analysis across Lagos State, identifying key actors and influence pathways to strengthen health system coordination.
Oyo State Ministry of Health
Oct 2019 – Mar 2021
Ibadan, Nigeria

Public Health Associate

  • Provided technical advisory support to state-level health leadership on systems strengthening and programme prioritisation, navigating policy, financing, and implementation constraints.
  • Contributed to policy analysis and strategic planning for the TOMOTIYA Initiative, conducting stakeholder consultations and translating government health priorities into an operational programme framework.
  • Supported health financing analysis under the Tomotiya health insurance scheme, contributing to policy dialogue on universal health coverage mechanisms at state level.
Research & publications

Peer-reviewed research

Contributing to evidence on global health emergency preparedness and systems strengthening.

Frontiers in Public Health · 2024

The Evolutionary Journey to a New Normal for Learning and Capacity Building of Healthcare Workers to Prepare and Respond to Health Emergencies Across Africa

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BMJ Global Health · 2024

An Assessment of the Progress Made in the Implementation of the Regional Framework for Cholera Prevention and Control in the WHO African Region

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Active Peer Reviewer, BMJ Global Health
Appointed to WHO Global Roster for Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategies
Media & speaking

Training, facilitation & media

Training facilitation, technical consultations, and media engagements across the African region and beyond.

Amarachi Tikal Abianuru speaking at a WHO training
Amarachi Tikal Abianuru facilitating a capacity building workshop
Rwanda Rapid Response Team Managers Workshop facilitation
Video
Rwanda Rapid Response Team (RRT) Managers Workshop
Musanze, Rwanda · July 2024 · Role: Facilitator
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Media
Nigeria races to contain deadly meningitis outbreak
Expert Commentary · Nigeria · 2026
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Webinars
WHO AFRO EPR Webinar Series
Multiple appearances as facilitator and technical expert, WHO Health Security Learning Platform
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Let's work together

Whether you are building a system, strengthening a team, or navigating a complex public health challenge, let's talk.

Currently available for new engagements