Dr. Abba Zakari Umar

Chief of Party, MAPS Project

Dr. Abba Zakari Umar serves as the Chief of Party (COP) for the MAPS Project, an $80 million USAID-funded initiative. In his capacity as COP, Dr. Abba is responsible for managing all MAPS activities and staff in Nigeria as well as serving as the MAPS representative to the Government of Nigeria, USAID, partners, and other stakeholders.

Prior to joining FHI 360 in September 2011, Dr. Abba served as Head of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in Northern Nigeria, overseeing the entire portfolio of DFID's development assistance in the north of Africa's most populous country. During his esteemed career, Dr. Abba spent over 10 years working with the Jigawa State Ministry of Health, including having served as Health Commissioner in his native state of Jigawa. He also served as Chief of Party for a large EU-funded immunization project spanning 23 Nigerian states managed by the German-based firm, EPOS Health Management.

Dr. Abba holds a Masters Degree in Infections and Health in the Tropics (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a Post Graduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Royal College of Physicians of London, and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Email: aumar@fhi360.org