Emmanuel Ajah

Emmanuel Ajah is the Country Director for MSI Nigeria. Emma, as he is fondly called, has over 19 years’ experience in the development sector, with a history of implementing large multilateral projects and programmes with USAID, DFIF/FCDO, Global Fund, BMGF, and other organisations.  

Emma has rich experience supporting health interventions, including family planning, malaria, HIV and AIDS, maternal and child health, as well as private and public sector institutional development, capacity building, and health systems sustainability. He has managed several civil society organisations and networks, adapting to diverse cultural settings in Nigeria and other countries, especially within the West and Central Africa region.  

Coming from a project management and strategic communications background, Emma joined MSI Nigeria in July 2012 as the pioneering Social Franchise Manager, kick-starting the social franchising model named BlueStar Healthcare Network. He later became the Director of Operations in 2015, the Programme Operations Director in 2019, the Interim Country Director in early 2022, and the Country Director later that year. Since joining MSI Nigeria, Emma has visited over 22 MSI countries both learning and significantly contributing to the growth of the global partnership.  

Emma holds a first-class degree in Linguistics and Communications studies with a master’s degree in Public Administration. He is a Master Trainer in several health domains and a certified trainer on the Nine Conversations in Leadership Training by WorldsView Academy, South Africa.