Babatunde Osotimehin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Babatunde Osotimehin
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Osotimehin speaking at the London Summit on Family Planning in 2012
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| Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund | |
| In office 1 January 2011 – 4 June 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Thoraya Obaid |
| Succeeded by | Natalia Kanem |
| Federal Minister of Health | |
| In office 17 December 2008 – 17 March 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Adenike Grange |
| Succeeded by | Onyebuchi Chukwu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 February 1949 Ogun State, Nigeria |
| Died | 4 June 2017 (aged 68) New York City, United States |
| Children | 5 |
Babatunde Osotimehin (born February 6, 1949 – died June 4, 2017) was an important Nigerian doctor and leader. He served as Nigeria's Minister of Health. Later, he became the head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2011. He held a very high position, like an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Dr. Osotimehin cared deeply about young people and women. He worked hard to improve reproductive health and rights for everyone. He was especially focused on helping people affected by the HIV epidemic. One of his great strengths was using facts and information to guide his work.
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Early Life and Education
Babatunde Osotimehin was born in February 1949 in Ogun State, Nigeria. He went to Igbobi College for his early schooling. He then studied medicine at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
In 1979, he moved to the United Kingdom. There, he earned a special degree (a doctorate) from the University of Birmingham. He also studied endocrinology (a field of medicine about hormones) at Cornell University in New York, USA.
A Career of Helping Others
In 1980, Dr. Osotimehin returned to Nigeria. He became a Professor of Clinical Pathology at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. He continued to rise in his academic career. From 1990 to 1994, he was the Provost (a senior leader) of the College of Medicine at Ibadan.
Dr. Osotimehin was very interested in helping young people and women. He worked to improve their health and ensure their rights. He believed that everyone should have access to good health care.
He also played a big role in fighting HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. In 2005, he shared that many women in Nigeria were affected by HIV. He worked to increase the number of people getting treatment for HIV.
From 2002 to 2007, he led the National Action Committee on AIDS in Nigeria. He also managed a big project to fight HIV/AIDS with help from the World Bank. He was a leader at many international conferences about AIDS.
Leading Nigeria's Health Ministry
On December 17, 2008, Dr. Osotimehin became Nigeria's Minister of Health. During his time, he brought all 36 states together. Their goal was to create a national health plan. This plan focused on basic health care for everyone.
He also spoke for Africa on maternal, newborn, and child health. He encouraged Nigeria to spend more money on health care. He reminded medical places that they must treat accident victims. He also worked hard to get rid of diseases like poliomyelitis in children. He left this role in March 2010.
Leading the United Nations Population Fund
On November 19, 2010, Dr. Osotimehin was chosen for a very important job. He became the executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He started this role on January 1, 2011. He was the fourth person to lead UNFPA.
At UNFPA, he continued to focus on young people. He believed that young people, both boys and girls, should have equal chances. This included their health, rights, and roles in society.
He was known for his humble approach. He believed that respecting others was key to making changes. He also understood the importance of different cultures. He was reappointed to his position in 2014.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dr. Osotimehin passed away on June 4, 2017, in New York, at 68 years old. His colleagues at UNFPA remembered him as a strong and inspiring leader. They said he was a "visionary" who always relied on facts and evidence.
He is survived by his wife, Olufunke, their five children, and five grandchildren.
Memberships and Honours
Dr. Osotimehin was part of many important groups. He was a member of the Royal College of Physicians in the UK. He was also a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences. He helped guide many international health and population groups.
In December 2005, he received a high Nigerian national award. He was given the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
