Prof. John Ele-Ojo Ataguba has established a prominent presence in the field of health economics and policy. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA), he assumed this role on April 1, 2022, following his tenure as the Deputy Executive Director responsible for Capacity Development at AfHEA. He brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his various roles, both locally and internationally.

In addition to his contributions to AfHEA, Professor Ataguba holds multiple distinguished positions. He is a respected member of the Board of Directors for the International Health Economics Association (iHEA) and a fellow affiliated with the Pan-African Scientific Research Council (PASRC). Furthermore, he is a research fellow within the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) network, reflecting his dedication to advancing economic research with a global impact.

Notably, Professor Ataguba recently assumed the inaugural Canada Research Chair in Health Economics at the University of Manitoba, underscoring his commitment to academic excellence and research. Before this appointment, he served as a Professor of Economics and directed the Health Economics Unit at the University of Cape Town. His expertise was further recognized as he held the interim South African Research Chair in Health and Wealth at the University of Cape Town.

Professor Ataguba's influence extends beyond academia, as he serves as an advisor to both national and international organizations, including the esteemed World Health Organization. His dedication to health economics, research, and policy in Africa is palpable, evident in his impactful research on various facets of economics, such as poverty, inequality, equity in health and healthcare, social determinants of health, health financing, and the economics of aging.

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Ataguba has supervised numerous postgraduate students, nurturing the next generation of scholars and researchers. His extensive body of work, encompassing a wide array of health economics topics, has contributed significantly to the field's development. Professor Ataguba's academic journey began as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Nigeria, where he earned his first-class honors degree in Economics. His academic pursuits culminated in a PhD in Economics from the University of Cape Town.

Notably, he has been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious TW Kambule-NSTF Award for his contributions to science and research in South Africa. As a testament to his commitment to academic excellence, he was selected as a Mellon Mandela Fellow during the 2016/17 academic year at Harvard University in the USA. The extensive experience of Professor John Ataguba, coupled with his impressive research portfolio, makes him an invaluable asset to AfHEA and to the field of Health Economics.