Public health body Resolve to Save Lives appoints Fashola to its board of directors

INTERNATIONAL public health body Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) Nigeria has appointed former Lagos State governor and federal works and housing minister Babatunde Fashola to its board of directors with immediate effect.

RTSL, which opened its offices in Abuja in 2022, partners with governments and communities to tackle some of the world’s deadliest health threats. A health-focused body working to prevent cardiovascular diseases and epidemics among other things, the organisation said it appointed Mr Fashola because of his track record when it came to healthcare.

Dr Tom Frieden, the RTSL president and chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mr Fashola to the RTSL Nigeria board of directors. He has demonstrated a commitment to improving lives and livelihoods in Nigeria through more than two decades of public service.”

Mr Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, previously served as Nigeria's minister of power, works and housing under President Muhammadu Buhari. He was also the chief of staff in Lagos State before serving as governor between 2007 and 2015.

During his tenure in office, Governor Fashola was instrumental in managing Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, earning him international recognition, including the Stephen J. Solarz Award from the International Crisis Group. In his acceptance remarks, Mr Fashola said he was honoured to join the board and pledged to support the organisation’s mission.

He added: “I look forward to helping continue the progress in stopping preventable deaths from cardiovascular diseases and infectious disease outbreaks.” Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, a fellow board member and dean at the University College London Faculty of Population Health Sciences, described Mr Fashola’s inclusion as a valuable asset, citing his governance experience and leadership during health crises.