Linked Network Facilitators chatted with representatives from the Steering Committee to learn more about their experiences working in immunisation, what they are most looking forward to from the network, as well as some fun, personal facts about themselves. This spotlight features Ganiyu Salau, Former Director, Finance & Accountability Office, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigeria and Consultant of the Vaccine Financing and Accountability Task Team.
You were also a member of the Learning Network for Countries in Transition, the previous phase of the Linked Immunisation Action Network. What tips can you give other countries to ensure they gain the most out of the peer-to-peer learning approach?
The practical tips I will give all member countries to ensure they gain the most out of the peer-to-peer learning approach include the followings:
(a) Countries should ensure the right caliber of government officials are selected to represent them in the network activities in line with the approved guidelines for nomination of countries’ representatives,
(b) Such countries’ representatives should also be given sufficient opportunity/latitude to participate actively in decision making in matters of immunization governance, leadership, and coordination to enhance their effectiveness in translating lessons learned from the Linked activities into practical actions that will lead to improved country performance,
(c) Countries should also encourage and support their representatives to effectively adapt and implement key decisions/recommendations from network-wide meetings and other peer learning activities for the benefits all their citizens,
(d) Individual countries should adequately empower their respective Country Core Group (CCG) members to network and collaborate with other stakeholders across the health and other sectors e.g. education, water and sanitation, ICT, etc for enhanced knowledge sharing and effective dissemination of key lessons and recommendations from the linked activities for greater outcomes and impacts of immunization and other primary health care interventions.
What aspects of your role in the Steering Committee are you most excited to participate in?
The different aspects of my role in the steering committee are quite exciting. However, I get most excited any time I was called upon to represent the steering committee in a function or support the network activities by sharing my experiences, reflections or feedback on key issues or deliberations.
What do you do professionally? How did you get started in your field?
Over the years, I have been deeply involved in different aspects of financial management decision making, including efficient allocation of resources to priority programs and project and also ensuring fiscal prudence, transparency and accountability in management of available resources. I started my career in accounting in 1986, when I was enrolled into the Federal Treasury School in Lagos, Nigeria for a year in-service training in government accounting under the auspices of the Office of Accountant General of the Federation, which encouraged me to develop interest in the field of accounting and public sector financial management. Upon completion of the treasury training program, I sat for and passed the Advanced Level GCE examinations in 1987. By 1988, I gained admission into the University of Lagos where I graduated with BSc and MSc degree in Accounting in 1994 and 1999, respectively. Thereafter, I completed the professional training and passed the final professional examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 2002 and I was subsequently inducted as a chartered Accountant in May 2003. Afterwards, I joined the National Program on Immunization (NPI) in September 2003 as a Principal Accountant. The NPI was subsequently merged with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in May 2007, where I rose through the ranks to my current position as the Director, Special Duties Department. My background and experience provided the impetus for me to continue to effectively discharge diverse responsibilities assigned to me including the following:
- Team Lead, Immunization Financing and Accountability Task Team, NPHCDA
- Manager, Finance & Accountability, NPHCDA
- Director, Special Duties Department, NPHCDA
Who is your favorite musician from Nigeria?
My favorite musician from Nigeria is Chief Commander Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey. He is now in his early 80s, and very popular among the Yoruba ethnic group of southwest Nigeria. Though he composed his songs in the native Yoruba language, the philosophical underpinning in the lyrics makes his outstanding and popular. Although he is now aged but his evergreen songs live on. I have more than 40 collections of his albums.
Ganiyu Salau was born in Ikaramu – Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria on 29th July 1962. He is a professional member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and also has a BSc and MSc in Accounting from the University of Lagos, Nigeria with about 19 years experience in immunization financing. Ganiyu attended several local and international trainings and workshops including: Improving the Quality of Health Service at Harvard University, Boston, USA in 2018, Global Flagship Course on Health Systems Strengthening: Building Health Systems for the Future 2021 – World Bank Group and World Bank Health Systems Flagship Global Course, 2022. He serves as the Chairman/Team Lead, Immunization Financing and Accountability Task Team at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and is also a member of the Sustainable Financing Working Group – Immunization Agenda 2030.