Meet Ann Ata-azuzu Ojoma
A Public Health Professional, community leader, and an alumni of Cohort 5 of The Next Hundred Public Health Stewards (TNH-PHS) Programme. She has dedicated her career to creating opportunities that improve health outcomes, particularly for women, adolescents, young people, and underserved communities.
Her TNH-PHS story began in 2022, shortly after completing her Master’s degree overseas. Eager to move beyond academic learning and gain practical experience in public health, she was searching for opportunities that would expose her to the realities of public health programming and implementation in Nigeria, then she came across the call for applications of The Next Hundred Public Health Stewards Programme on Instagram.
“The programme immediately stood out to me because of its commitment to nurturing emerging public health leaders,” she recalls. Excited by the opportunity to learn and grow alongside like minded professionals, she applied, and after what felt like a long wait, received the congratulatory email informing her that she had been selected.
“I still vividly remember the excitement and gratitude I felt that day,” she says, describing the moment as an important step in her professional journey.
The programme’s three-day orientation broadened her understanding of the public health ecosystem and introduced her to opportunities within the sector. Sessions on data collection, storytelling for impact, health policy, programme implementation, and career development offered practical insights that complemented her academic training.
The immersion phase brought those lessons to life. Through TNH-PHS, Ann was immersed at Gem Hub Initiative, Abuja, where she gained hands-on experience in public health work. She contributed to stakeholder engagement, participated in meetings and conferences, supported documentation and report writing, hosted webinars, and engaged in advocacy efforts that amplified youth voices in decision-making spaces.
She also supported initiatives focused on adolescents and young women, including the Adolescent Hub, Teen Mum Initiative, and the Her360Access Project, experiences that strengthened her leadership, stakeholder engagement, programme management, and advocacy skills.
One outcome of the immersion that she values greatly was being retained by Gem Hub Initiative after completing her three-month immersion.
“What began as a learning opportunity evolved into a full-time role within the organization,” she says. “The Next Hundred Public Health Stewards Programme provided the platform, but it also challenged me to demonstrate commitment, professionalism, and leadership in practice.”
She credits this growth not only to the exposure she gained through TNH-PHS, but also to consistently showing up, taking initiative, embracing opportunities to learn, and contributing meaningfully wherever she can.
One person who continues to inspire her is Dr. Charity Chenge, Founder of The Next Hundred initiative and Co-founder of CHESIDS.
“Whenever I reflect on the scale of her work and the lives she has touched, I am reminded that there is still so much more to be done,” Ann says. “Her example encourages me to remain focused, continue learning, and keep amplifying my voice and impact.”
Among the experiences she cherishes most from her journey was the TNH-PHS Alumni Project on Hepatitis B awareness in Waru Community, Abuja, where she served as a facilitator. Engaging directly with community members helped her grow in confidence and reinforced the importance of effective communication in public health.
“There is something powerful about standing before a community, holding the microphone, and using your voice to educate, inspire, and drive positive action,” she reflects.
Looking ahead, Ann hopes to continue expanding her work in public health, youth development, advocacy, and social impact while contributing to initiatives that improve lives and promote health equity.
Her message to young people passionate about transforming public health and beyond is simple: “Make yourself available. Volunteer. Show up. Be willing to learn. Lend your voice to important conversations and contribute your skills wherever you can. Do not underestimate the value of small opportunities or the power of consistency.“
For Ann, public health is more than a profession. It is an ongoing commitment to learning, serving, and working alongside communities to create lasting and meaningful change.
