Meet Emmanuel Inalegwu Adakole
He is an M&E Officer at the Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Benue State and a member of the 11th cohort of The Next Hundred Public Health Stewards (TNH-PHS) Programme. With a strong interest in data and systems, Emmanuel believes public health is about building systems that work, guided by evidence and designed to meet the real needs of communities.
His journey into public health has been shaped by a growing curiosity about how data can improve decision making and strengthen outcomes. This curiosity led him to The Next Hundred Public Health Stewards (TNH-PHS) Programme, which he discovered on LinkedIn while searching for opportunities to gain more practical experience.
“I decided to apply because I wanted to build practical skills and better understand how I could contribute meaningfully to public health,” he shares.
Before TNH-PHS, Emmanuel had begun his career as an intern with Global Health Action, working in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). While the experience exposed him to program coordination, teamwork, and presentations, much of it was virtual. He was eager for something more hands-on and an opportunity to apply what he had learned in real-world settings.
Reflecting on his experience in the immersion, at the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Benue State, Emmanuel notes that it helped him better connect theory to practice. From participating in meetings to supporting program reporting and engaging with stakeholders, he gradually grew more confident in taking on responsibilities and contributing to ongoing work.
As part of the alumni network, Emmanuel values the opportunity to connect with peers, learn from shared experiences, and continue growing within the public health space. These interactions have helped shape his confidence and broaden his perspective on what is possible.
Emmanuel’s interest in public health is rooted in a desire to address gaps in how health programs are designed and implemented. Early in his journey, he observed challenges in translating plans into effective action and became interested in how data and evidence can help improve outcomes.
Some of his most notable experiences reflect this direction. He contributed to the Benue Disability Summit 2025, supporting discussions on improving health access and inclusion for persons with disabilities. He also served as a co-facilitator for a training of female CSO leaders on project management, where he guided participants through practical exercises and shared insights on monitoring and evaluation.
Now, with the experience he has gained and the role he currently plays, Emmanuel is focused on contributing to stronger public health systems through data-driven planning, effective program coordination, and inclusive approaches to health interventions. He hopes to support initiatives that improve outcomes in areas such as maternal and child health, nutrition, and community-based programming, while also mentoring other young professionals finding their path in the field.
For young people interested in public health, his advice is simple: “Be proactive, keep learning, and build meaningful networks. Don’t be afraid to take on challenges, and always use data and evidence to guide your work.”
Emmanuel Adakole’s story reflects a growing commitment to thoughtful, evidence driven public health practice. As he continues to gain experience, his focus remains clear: contributing to systems that are more responsive, inclusive, and effective.
