A renowned veterinary doctor and researcher, Dr Joachim Joseph Ajakaiye has been named the Overseeing Director of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research (NITR), Kaduna.
By the appointment, which was approved by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, Dr Ajakaiye will, with immediate effect, oversee the office of the institute’s Director-General.
According to a letter dated March 5, 2024 and signed for the Minister by the Ministry’s Director of Human Resources Management, Alhaji Baba Ibrahim Hassan, the appointment followed the mandatory retirement of the previous holder of the post, Dr (Mrs.) Felicia Enwenzor.
Dr Ajakaiye, who holds the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Master of Science (Veterinary Physiology) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees began his career at NITR as a Veterinary Research Officer in 2006. He was promoted to the position of Director of Research in 2018.
A Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, Dr Ajakaiye is also a recipient of the Fellowship of the Cuban Academy of Science.