Our Leadership - Sydani Group

Sydani Group – Redefining Excellence Consistently

Call us: +234 806 049 6000

Email us: contact@sydani.org

Sydani Group – Redefining Excellence Consistently

Call us: +234 806 049 6000

Email us: contact@sydani.org

Our Leadership

Our People

Get to Know the Incredible Individuals Behind The Work We Do.

Redefining Excellence Consistently

our leadership team

Meet Our Team of Experts

Excellence-driven people united in a persistent pursuit to deliver sustainable solutions

Sidney Sampson

Sidney Sampson

Founder & Global Managing Partner

Vivian Ajuonu

Vivian Ajuonu

Group Finance Manager

Sunday Atobatele

Sunday Atobatele

Partner

Akolade Jimoh

Akolade Jimoh

Senior Program Manager & Strategy Lead

Hilda Ebinim

Hilda Ebinim

Program Manager

Zachariah Itodo

Zachariah Itodo

Head, Operations & HR

Morenike Oni

Dr. Morenike Oni

Program Manager

Andikan Ibanga

Andikan Ibanga

Senior Program Manager & Business Development Lead

Obiamaka Enwezor

Dr. Obiamaka Enwezor

Program Manager

guiding our future

Meet Our Board

DR. (Mrs.) ‘DERE AWOSIKA MFR, mni.

DR. (Mrs.) ‘Dere Awosika MFR, mni.

Board Chairman

DR. CHARLES SOKEI

Dr. Charles Sokei

Alternate Board Chairman

MRS. MARYAM UWAIS OON.

Mrs. Maryam Uwais OON.

Board Member

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Say?

We take pride in our clients’ satisfaction

Giles and his team at Herrington Business Consulting have been absolutely great to work with and they definitely have gone above and beyond for us by streamlining all of our accounts so that we can focus.

Heather Smith - Talk

Director, Radical Orange Pty Ltd.

Giles and his team at Herrington Business Consulting have been absolutely great to work with and they definitely have gone above and beyond for us by streamlining all of our accounts so that we can focus.

Heather Smith - Talk

Director, Radical Orange Pty Ltd.

Giles and his team at Herrington Business Consulting have been absolutely great to work with and they definitely have gone above and beyond for us by streamlining all of our accounts so that we can focus.

Heather Smith - Talk

Director, Radical Orange Pty Ltd.

Giles and his team at Herrington Business Consulting have been absolutely great to work with and they definitely have gone above and beyond for us by streamlining all of our accounts so that we can focus.

Heather Smith - Talk

Director, Radical Orange Pty Ltd.

Recognized by the best

Our Clients Trust Sydani

Trusted by leading organizations across sectors, our clients rely on Sydani Group for innovative solutions, strategic insight, and measurable impact.

Get In Touch Today!

Ready to make an impact? Get in touch with us today to explore how we can support your goals with tailored, strategic solutions.

Lets Make Impact Together!

Andikan Ibanga

Senior Program Manager & Business Development Lead

Biography

Andikan Ibanga is a Senior Manager at Sydani Group, leading high-impact projects and driving partnerships and new business development across health, education, and technology sectors.

He holds a BSc in Accounting (Second Class Upper) from Covenant University, Nigeria, and an MBA from the University of Lagos. His professional certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), ISO 45001 Lead Implementer, ITIL 4 Foundation, ISO 20000-1 Foundation and Practitioner, and a Proficiency Certificate in Management from the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered).

Andikan’s expertise spans strategic account management, project management, business development, and process optimization. His professional focus includes designing and executing multi-year donor-funded programs, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, with a strong emphasis on health and education systems strengthening.

With over a decade of experience, Andikan has led projects worth over $5 million, interfacing with international donors like Gavi, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Global Partnership for Education, as well as government agencies in Nigeria’s health and education sectors. He established Sydani’s partnerships and new business development unit, growing it into a four-person team and securing projects worth over $5 million, including a $400,000 education sector initiative. His leadership in a Gavi-funded technical assistance program across 12 Nigerian states redefined outcomes, while his project management achieved 100% alignment with scope, cost, and timelines, saving over 35% in implementation costs. Andikan also spearheaded Sydani’s ISO 9001 certification and led the establishment of ISO 45001 and IT Service Management Systems for Nigerian financial institutions.

Andikan has represented Sydani at high-level events, including Gavi and BMGF partner meetings, BHCPF annual events, and other strategic conferences, enhancing the organization’s visibility and influence in the development sector.

Akolade Jimoh

Senior Program Manager & Strategy Lead

Biography

Akolade Jimoh is a Senior Strategy and Management Consultant with a strong passion for public health. He is renowned for designing innovative, data-driven solutions to enhance healthcare access and equity in LMICs.

He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health (in view) from Liverpool John Moores University, a BSc in Demography and Social Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University, and certifications in Project Management for Professionals (PMP), Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro1) and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL DPro). He is also a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI).

With over six years of experience, Jimoh has managed multi-country programs, securing and managing more than $7 million in funding from donors such as Gavi, USAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As Senior Global Immunization Specialist, he facilitated Gavi Full Portfolio Planning applications for Sierra Leone and Nepal, securing $11 million and $29 million respectively. He led routine immunization projects that reduced zero-dose burdens by 25% using GIS-enabled microplanning and increased vaccine coverage by 15% in underserved communities.

As Project Manager for COVID-19 vaccination efforts, he led the team that facilitated the immunization of over 1,000,000 people in Niger and Benue States, elevating the states’ national rankings, and leveraged neglected tropical disease program structures to reach 5,000 communities in Yobe State. Additionally, he served as Technical Lead for human resources for health profiling across 10 states, developing workforce models and a national database to inform policy.

Beyond program management, Jimoh is highly skilled in facilitating trainings and capacity-building workshops for senior stakeholders across government and non-governmental organizations, including Federal and State Ministries of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agencies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Rotary International, and other strategic partners. His expertise in convening high-level dialogues and fostering stakeholder alignment has been instrumental in driving policy reforms and strengthening implementation capacity.

Prior to joining Sydani, Akolade gained valuable experience working with reputable consulting firms and international NGOs, where he deepened his technical and strategic competencies in public health programming and development consulting. He has earned notable recognition for high performance and continues to be sought after for his ability to bridge evidence, strategy, and execution.

Akolade’s key areas of expertise include epidemiology, strategy design, project management, data analysis, health information systems management, and stakeholder engagement. His professional focus spans immunization, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health plus nutrition (RMNCH+N), and health systems strengthening, with an emphasis on grant writing and leveraging digital innovations for sustainable impact.

He has also presented at local and international conferences, including:

“Appraisal of a 5-year Supportive Intervention toward Improving Nigeria’s Health Sector Budgeting through a Strengthened Collaboration” at the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance Conference (August 2023).

“Understanding the Working Modalities of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): A Leverage Mechanism for Implementing COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness and Uptake in Yobe and Ebonyi States” at the Vaccine Conference in Glasgow (September 2023).

His contributions to research include publications in peer-reviewed journals such as:

“Integrating routine immunization into COVID-19 vaccination improves coverage but could create equity issues: evidence from Niger State, Nigeria” (BMC Public Health, 2025).

“Cost of COVID-19 vaccine delivery in nine States in Nigeria via the U.S. Government Initiative for Global Vaccine Access” (BMC Health Services Research, 2024).

He is also a member of the WHO AFRO Region EPI Team, where he contributes to advancing immunization and health systems goals across Africa.

Vivian Ajuonu

Group Finance Manager

Biography

Vivian is the Group Finance and Grant Manager at Sydani Group, where she oversees financial management, grant reporting, and donor compliance for large-scale international development programs. With over Eight years of combined experience in accounting, taxation, auditing and fund reporting, Vivian specializes in corporate finance, budget development and monitoring, donor fund reporting, grant management, and tax compliance.

She has successfully managed grants and projects funded by leading donors including the Gates Foundation, Gavi, USAID, USCDC, JHU, AMREF,CHAI and the likes, ensuring accountability, transparency, and financial prudence across health, education, and development initiatives. At Sydani, she has developed and implemented robust financial policies, standardized budgeting systems, and designed internal control frameworks that strengthened the organization’s financial and operational performance.

Vivian holds a Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of London and a BSc in Accounting from Madonna University. She is a Chartered Accountant, being a member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and also a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (CFI).

Her career journey spans audit, fintech, and development finance, where she has consistently delivered impact by building resilient financial systems, improving donor accountability, and driving operational efficiency in complex projects.

Zachariah Itodo

Head, Operations and HR

Biography

Zachariah (Zachs) Itodo is the Head of Operations and Human Resources at Sydani Group, where he leads efforts to align organizational strategy with human capital development for impactful international development consulting.

He holds an Executive MBA in Leadership and Strategy from Valar Institute, USA, and an MSc in Diplomacy and International Relations from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. His certifications include Certified Management Consultant from the International Council for Management Consulting Institutes, Associate Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (ACIPM), Associate Nigerian Institute of Management (ANIM), Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), Fellow Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), and Certified Life Coach.

Zachariah’s key areas of expertise encompass human resources management, strategy, operations, training and development, organization design, performance management, competency framing, and human resource business partnerships. His professional focus is on fostering leadership, enhancing workforce capabilities, and driving organizational efficiency in dynamic environments.

With over 15 years of experience as a certified HR professional and management consultant, Zachariah has mentored emerging leaders through programs like the Tony Elumelu Foundation and partnered with NYSC for youth capacity building. As a certified leadership trainer and Fela Durotoye coach, he has influenced teams across the consulting sector, emphasizing upskilling and strategic alignment.

Zachariah is a member of the Forbes Black Council and a TEDx speaker. He authored “Post Covid Learning Lessons” featured in Disruptive People UK. His speaking engagements include serving as a speaker at the 2024 CIPM Annual Conference and a panelist at the NITAD 2025 Annual Conference.

Sidney Sampson

Founder & Global Managing Partner

Biography

Sidney Sampson is the Founder and Global Managing Partner of Sydani Group, an international development consulting firm with operations across Africa and Asia. He is widely regarded for his ability to design and deliver strategies that strengthen systems and create measurable impact in health, education, agriculture, climate resilience, and digital innovation.

Under his leadership, Sydani has grown from a single-person startup into a global firm with more than 130 professionals, partnering with organisations such as Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, USAID, the World Bank, and multiple governments to implement high-value programs.

Sidney holds an Executive Certificate from Harvard Business School, a Master’s degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and a 5.0 First-Class degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kuban State University, Russia.

His expertise has shaped national policies and secured more than $1 billion in donor commitments, including Nigeria’s largest-ever immunisation funding package. He has co-authored Nigeria’s 10-year National Immunisation Strategy and introduced innovations such as the Wristband for Immunisation Alert(WIA) and VacInsight, an advanced analytics platform for health systems.

In addition to his executive leadership, Sidney has contributed to peer-reviewed journals including Plos One, Journal of Public Health, and International Journal of Integrated Care. He regularly speaks at international development forums and policy summits and has been featured in media outlets such as Arise News and The Guardian. He serves on expert panels and advisory boards, including the West and Central Africa Immunisation Financing Panel, and is an active member of the Harvard Business School Executive Alumni Network.

Dr. Morenike Oni

Program Manager

Morenike Alade-Oni is a Manager and Gender Health Lead at Sydani Group, overseeing integrated portfolios in demand generation, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs).

She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Deakin University, Australia, an MBBS from Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts, and a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Morenike is accredited by the Medical and Dental Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Her expertise lies in public health systems strengthening, immunization, and equity-focused health interventions, with a focus on gender-responsive strategies, sustainable demand generation, and inclusive policy and financing mechanisms. She excels in mobilizing civil society and faith-based partnerships to enhance health delivery.

Morenike has led national programs integrating gender-responsive budgeting and evidence-based advocacy, providing technical advisory services on cancer to the National Institute of Cancer Research and Treatment. She reduced vaccine hesitancy by coordinating over 300 traditional and religious leaders, achieving immunization for over 500,000 children in Southern Nigeria, earning commendations at the 40th and 41st Expert Review Committee for Polio Eradication. She spearheaded Phase II of the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine rollout across six states, contributing to over 90% national coverage. As Gender Equity and Inclusion focal person, she developed and facilitated gender-responsive pedagogy training for the Pre-Service Teacher Education Project, enhancing inclusive education systems. She has also advised governments and CSOs on equity, patient safety, and health financing with Oxford Policy Management and other donor-funded initiatives.

Morenike has facilitated national and subnational policy dialogues on gender and demand generation in health workforce and immunization programs. Recognized as a leading advocate for NCDs, NTDs, and VPDs, she has contributed to technical proposals, policy briefs, and advocacy tools adopted by national stakeholders and donors to inform large-scale funding and program design.

Hilda Ebinim

Program Manager

Biography

Hilda Ebinim is a senior management consultant and public health strategist with expertise in health system strengthening, project management, and implementation research. As a Manager at Sydani Group, she oversees a portfolio of programs and research initiatives in Health workforce development, policy and strategy design, systems change, and youth development, turning bold ideas into actionable, high-impact solutions.

Hilda drives the design and implementation of high-impact Human Resources for Health (HRH) and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health strategies to address critical gaps in MNCH service delivery and workforce capacity across Africa. She has led multiple multi-country research and technical engagements that have generated actionable insights for policy formulation, program design, and large-scale implementation. Her work has directly supported government and donor efforts to improve access to skilled birth attendants, enhance frontline health worker distribution and retention, and expand opportunities for women’s leadership in health.

A passionate advocate for youth and women’s leadership, Hilda spearheads programs that equip youth and women with the skills, networks, and opportunities to drive impact at scale. Working with governments, academia and subject matter experts, she combines her consulting and research experience to bridge the gap between research and action, ensuring that evidence directly informs how systems are designed, resourced, and led to improve outcomes at scale. Hilda holds a Master of Public Health, which complements her technical experience in delivering sustainable development solutions.

Dr. Obiamaka Enwezor

Program Manager

Biography

Dr. Obiamaka Enwezor is a medical doctor and international public health professional with over five years of experience advancing health systems strengthening, immunization, and supply chain management across Nigeria and beyond. She currently serves as a Manager at Sydani Group, where she provides technical leadership and strategic oversight on large-scale donor-funded programs that drive measurable improvements in public health outcomes.

She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Delta State University and is pursuing a Master’s in International Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University. She is also a certified Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro) practitioner and has completed advanced trainings in epidemiology, gender and immunization, health economics, and RMNCAH from leading global institutions including Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, UNICEF, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Dr. Enwezor’s expertise spans immunization strategy, vaccine logistics, health systems policy, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven track record in designing innovative tools, leading project implementation, and building the capacity of health workers at national and sub-national levels. She has played key roles in high-impact initiatives such as the Gavi-funded Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP), where she supported the deployment of over 12,700 cold chain units and developed training and monitoring systems for sustainability. Under the Integrated Health Program (IHP), she contributed to strengthening primary healthcare systems and improving service delivery in underserved communities. She is also leading efforts on the Africa CDC/Mastercard Foundation–funded Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) Phase 2 project, where she drives the integration of life-course immunization with essential preventive health services, spearheads capacity building for EPI managers and health workers, and strengthens Nigeria’s pandemic preparedness. Her leadership has consistently resulted in improved immunization coverage, expanded health worker capacity, and enhanced resilience within national health systems.

A committed public health professional, Dr. Enwezor is passionate about leveraging evidence, innovation, and collaboration to build stronger health systems. She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and a member of both the Nigerian Medical Association and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.