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About us
Management
Ensuring responsible leadership, transparent decision-making, and measurable impact across every community we serve.
At Shani Wellness Empowerment Foundation (SWEF), we uphold the highest standards of leadership, transparency, and accountability. Our governance structure ensures that the organisation remains mission-driven, ethically managed, and results-oriented, delivering measurable impact to the communities we serve.
Dr Isah Yahaya Vatsa
Team Lead/Chief of Party
Dr Isah Yahaya Vatsa is a distinguished public health physician and health systems specialist with over 35 years of leadership experience in public health programming, health financing, Primary Health Care (PHC) strengthening, and health systems reform. He holds an MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Wales, Cardiff (UK), and executive leadership training from institutions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
He has served in several strategic leadership roles, including Project Manager of the World Bank-assisted FCT HIV/AIDS Programme Development Project, Commissioner for Health, Water Resources, Livestock and Fisheries Development in Niger State, and Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Board. Throughout his career, he has led transformative reforms that strengthened PHC systems, improved health financing and governance, and expanded access to quality healthcare. Dr. Vatsa has extensive expertise in maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, routine immunization, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and health systems strengthening. He has successfully managed donor-funded programmes supported by the World Bank, UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, and other international development partners.
Most recently, he served as North Central Zonal Consultant for Nigeria’s Measles-Rubella Vaccine Advocacy Project, providing strategic leadership in policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and community mobilization to strengthen routine immunization and increase vaccine uptake.
Dr. Vatsa is widely recognized for his commitment to evidence-based policymaking, strategic partnerships, and sustainable health system reforms that improve health outcomes for women, children, and vulnerable populations.
Muhammed Salhu Koro
Deputy Team Lead/ Health Financing and Planning Adviser
Muhammed Salihu Koro is a Health Planner with over 30 years of experience in both clinical and health planning. He holds a certificate in General Nursing, a B.Sc. in Economics, and a Master’s in Health Management from Benue State University.
Muhammed coordinated the development of the Health Resource Mobilization and Optimization Plan 2023–2028 in response to the funding gap in budgetary provision, following the FCT Health Strategic Development Plan and Annual Operational Plan. He led various partnership programs between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding to support and revitalize the FCT healthcare system. Under this agreement, he coordinated numerous United States Implementing Partners, leading to various health interventions. The drafting, passage, and assent of various health bills were achieved in the FCT.
Peter Sunday Oshaji
Research M & E, and Evidence Lead
Emmanuel Ndenor Sambo is a Health Economist and Health Systems Strengthening Expert with over a decade of experience designing, evaluating, and managing public health financing initiatives across Nigeria. He currently serves as Partner and Strategy Lead at Netonim Associates Ltd and as Principal Technical Advisor to the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics (DHPRS) at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, funded by the Gates Foundation.
He holds an M.Sc. in Health Economics from the University of East Anglia in the UK, a Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) and an MBA in Finance and Investment from Ahmadu Bello University, as well as a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Maiduguri. Complementing his academic foundation, he is an active member of the International Health Economics Association (IHEA) and the WHO Health Financing Technical Network. In addition, his technical and academic research affiliations include collaborative work with the Cardiovascular Research Unit at the University of Abuja as part of the Nigerian Health Economics team conducting economic evaluations for NIH-funded health initiatives.
Throughout his career, Emmanuel has driven impactful health governance and financing reforms. In his advisory capacity with the DHPRS, he leads a team of technical consultants supporting the implementation of major national policies, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the National Health Accounts. A proven resource mobilizer, he has spearheaded grant-writing efforts that secured nearly $30 million in donor funding from major global partners such as USAID, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation. His expertise in economic evaluations spans leading high-profile studies ranging from the World Bank/GFF RMNCAEH+N strategy costing to hypertension cost-of-illness and costing studies supported by the CDC Foundation and the NIH.
Emmanuel’s professional footprint spans both international and sub-national contexts. Globally, he has delivered technical consultancies and strategic health engagements in Liberia, South Africa, and Rwanda. Across Nigeria, he has led and implemented health financing, monitoring, and systems-strengthening interventions in over 20 states.
Emmanuel Ndenor Sambo
Health Economist/Costing and Financing Lead
Emmanuel Ndenor Sambo is a Health Economist and Health Systems Strengthening Expert with over a decade of experience designing, evaluating, and managing public health financing initiatives across Nigeria. He currently serves as Partner and Strategy Lead at Netonim Associates Ltd and as Principal Technical Advisor to the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics (DHPRS) at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, funded by the Gates Foundation.
He holds an M.Sc. in Health Economics from the University of East Anglia in the UK, a Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) and an MBA in Finance and Investment from Ahmadu Bello University, as well as a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Maiduguri. Complementing his academic foundation, he is an active member of the International Health Economics Association (IHEA) and the WHO Health Financing Technical Network. In addition, his technical and academic research affiliations include collaborative work with the Cardiovascular Research Unit at the University of Abuja as part of the Nigerian Health Economics team conducting economic evaluations for NIH-funded health initiatives.
Throughout his career, Emmanuel has driven impactful health governance and financing reforms. In his advisory capacity with the DHPRS, he leads a team of technical consultants supporting the implementation of major national policies, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the National Health Accounts. A proven resource mobilizer, he has spearheaded grant-writing efforts that secured nearly $30 million in donor funding from major global partners such as USAID, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation. His expertise in economic evaluations spans leading high-profile studies ranging from the World Bank/GFF RMNCAEH+N strategy costing to hypertension cost-of-illness and costing studies supported by the CDC Foundation and the NIH.
Emmanuel’s professional footprint spans both international and sub-national contexts. Globally, he has delivered technical consultancies and strategic health engagements in Liberia, South Africa, and Rwanda. Across Nigeria, he has led and implemented health financing, monitoring, and systems-strengthening interventions in over 20 states.
Dr Zara Abba-Aji
Governance and Policy Adviser
Dr Zara Abba-Aji is a medical doctor and public health expert, with experience working for both the government and the private sector. With expertise spanning stakeholder engagement, governance, market studies, health financing, strategy development, public health, and clinical practice, Dr. Zara is committed to supporting transformative change in the Nigerian health sector by fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, promoting innovative reforms, good governance and enhancing synergies across federal, state, and community levels.
Dr Zara is a licensed medical doctor registered under the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the European Union, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health. With her diverse expertise and a deep understanding of the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem, Dr Zara is a committed professional working to bridge gaps, advance health equity, and unlock sustainable solutions in the health sector.
Pharmacist Abubakar S. Mohammed
Pharmaceutical Systems/Supply Chain Advisor
Abubakar S. Mohammed has been in the Health and Development sector for over fifteen years. He earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Master of Science degree in Health Economics from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom. He has also completed several certificate courses in areas like; clinical, business development and leadership etc.
Abubakar has successfully delivered in various roles on projects funded by The Global Fund (GF), the World Bank, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), among others. These roles span project management, demand creation, supply chain management, data analysis, and research. He is also a seasoned facilitator of the public, private and social market sectors and has delivered as Market/Business Development Advisor for many organizations.
Aisha Yahaya Vatsa
Stakeholder Engagement & Administrative Coordinator
Aisha Yahaya Vatsa is a dedicated and results-oriented professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations, offering a strong background in administration, public relations, stakeholder engagement, and organizational support. Skilled in communication, research, project coordination, records management, and relationship building, with a solid understanding of governance, public policy, and community development. As the founder and manager of a fashion enterprise, She gained practical experience in business administration, customer relations, budgeting, event coordination, and operations management. This entrepreneurial experience has strengthened her leadership, problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills while fostering professionalism, adaptability, and accountability.
She is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations through effective administrative coordination and strategic public engagement. She is committed to promoting a foundation’s vision, maintaining productive relationships with stakeholders, coordinating programs and office operations, and contributing to initiatives that create sustainable social impact.
Dr Zara is a licensed medical doctor registered under the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the European Union, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health. With her diverse expertise and a deep understanding of the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem, Dr Zara is a committed professional working to bridge gaps, advance health equity, and unlock sustainable solutions in the health sector.
