Prof. Eka Braide Ben Arikpo
Today I join millions of scholars globally to celebrate the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Professor EkanemIkpi Braide (the one I call “Aunty”) —a distinguished Nigerian scientist, visionary academic leader, and tireless advocate for public health whose work has shaped disease control efforts and community service globally.
Born on March 6, 1946, Professor Braide has built a career that exemplifies the power of scholarship in service of humanity. Trained initially in Zoology at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and later earning postgraduate degrees in parasitology and epidemiology from Cornell University in the United States, she emergedand remains one of Africa’s most respected experts in infectious disease control and operational epidemiology. Her work over the decades has focused particularly on neglected tropical diseases and on community-based strategies for disease prevention and control.
Among Professor Braide’s most celebrated contributions isher pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic success in eradicating Guinea worm disease. She enlisted me into this work in 1984 as the social scientist (Sociologist on the team) and later encouraged me to take up advanced studies in Demography at the University of Calabar where she was a Senior Lecturer. Through years of rigorous research, technical guidance, and field engagement, she contributed significantly to the scientific and operational strategies that eventually led to Nigeria being certified Guinea worm–free in 2013.
The achievement remains one of the most remarkable public health victories on the African continent.I recall how we travelled to rural hard to reach communities which were hit by guinea word starting our trips over land as early as 5am and working throughout. This engagement with her built in me the character of hard work, professionalism and concern for the community service.
Beyond the laboratory and field research, Professor Braide has demonstrated a heart for rural people. Through her leadership, I have participated in several medical outreach programs where she is giving back to society. I have since maintained this tradition and participated in other programs but the foundations were laid by Professor Braide.
Professor Braide has also demonstrated exceptional academic leadership. She served with distinction as Vice-Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology and later as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lafia. In both institutions, she combined intellectual vision with disciplined administration, helping to strengthen academic programs, research culture, and institutional governance.
Her outstanding contributions to science and national development have earned her numerous honours. The Federal Government of Nigeria recognized her service with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). She has also received international recognition for her leadership in the eradication of Guinea worm disease in Nigeria.
History was made when Professor Braide became the first female President of the Nigerian Academy of Science since its establishment in 1977. This milestone was not only a personal achievement but also a powerful symbol of progress for women in science across Nigeria and the African continent. Her leadership at the Academy has further strengthened advocacy for evidence-based policymaking and the application of scientific knowledge to national development challenges.
For some of us, however, Professor Braide is not only a renowned scientist and academic leader. She is also a mentor, collaborator, and a source of profound professional inspiration.
My own interactions and collaborations with Professor Braide emerged through public health research and programmatic engagements linked to UNICEF-supported initiatives and operational work within the Nigeria Guinea Worm Eradication Programme. In these engagements, she demonstrated a rare capacity to connect rigorous scientific thinking with the practical realities faced by communities affected by preventable diseases.
Within the context of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, our shared efforts focused on strengthening community awareness, improving surveillance systems, and contributing to the research documentation that informed program strategies in endemic areas. These activities were critical in supporting national and international partners as they worked toward the interruption of Guinea worm transmission in Nigeria.
Working alongside Professor Braide in these initiatives provided a unique opportunity to witness her exceptional ability to bridge science, policy, and community engagement.
She consistently emphasized that disease eradication could only be sustained when communities themselves became active participants in prevention and surveillance.
Our collaborations also intersected with broader health education and community mobilization efforts supported by UNICEF. These initiatives emphasized behavioral change communication, public health education, and the strengthening of local participation in disease prevention programs.
Professor Braide’s contributions to these efforts reflected her enduring belief that scientific knowledge must ultimately translate into practical benefits for society.
Equally striking throughout these engagements was her commitment to mentoring younger professionals. She mentored me in collaborative multidisciplinary research; she taught me how to work long hours without supervision; I learnt how to eat ‘eba” at 5am as a survival strategy for the hard day ahead on the field trips.
She encouraged critical thinking, intellectual discipline, and careful documentation of research findings. For many colleagues and collaborators, working with her provided invaluable lessons in scientific integrity, leadership, and public service.
Professor Braide’s career offers a powerful reminder that science, when guided by purpose and compassion, can transform societies. Through her work in disease control, university leadership, and scientific advocacy, she has contributed significantly to strengthening Nigeria’s research ecosystem and public health landscape.
As we celebrate this special 80th birthday anniversary, we honour not only a distinguished scientist but also a woman whose life exemplifies dedication to knowledge, service, and national development.
On behalf of my family, colleagues, collaborators, and admirers across Nigeria and beyond, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide on this milestone celebration. May the years ahead continue to bring you strength, fulfillment, and the joy of seeing the seeds you planted in science, education, community development, and public health continue to flourish.
Happy Birthday Aunty—an icon of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Ben Arikpo is the Founder, Dyslexia Foundation Nigeria and Former Lecturer, Dept of Sociology, UNICAL