Dr. Olajide Idris, MD, MPH, is the immediate past Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Nigeria, overseeing health care planning, policy formulation, and the implementation and supervision of health service delivery for the state’s 22 million inhabitants. During his tenure, first as Permanent Secretary and later as Chief Executive, he spearheaded a comprehensive Health Sector Reform agenda. This agenda included systems reorganization, human resource development, infrastructural development, revitalization of the primary care system, healthcare financing, and health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Dr. Idris boasts over 30 years of experience in medical practice, healthcare systems management, consulting, pharmaceutical, and research. His early career involved working as a medical doctor in hospitals and private companies in Nigeria, followed by roles with premier healthcare consulting firms in healthcare planning, research, hospital management, and clinical services.

He completed his undergraduate studies at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, and earned his Master of Public Health (MPH) from Yale University, Connecticut, USA. Dr. Idris furthered his expertise as a post-doctoral research fellow at Columbia University, New York, USA.

A key figure in emergency health response, Dr. Idris led the Lagos State response team in mobilizing resources and coordinating efforts with the Federal Government of Nigeria and international partners to contain the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. He is also actively involved in the State’s COVID-19 response.

Dr. Idris is a member of the American Public Health Association and the Nigerian Medical Association. He also serves on the board of the University of Ibadan Research Foundation and the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys listening to jazz music and playing golf.