Olanike Timipa-Uge’s journey into global health did not begin in a policy room or a research lab, it started at the bedside in a clinic. For seven years, she practised as a clinical nurse in Nigeria, caring for patients one at a time. Nursing laid the foundation for her compassion and discipline. Still, it also revealed a more profound desire: to influence change beyond the ward, shaping the decisions and systems that determine people’s health on a larger scale. That desire brought her to Eureka Idea Co in a way she did not expect.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined Eureka Idea Co as a consultant, an opportunity that would completely transform the direction of her career. That unexpected moment opened the door to global health consulting and marked the beginning of a journey filled with purpose, curiosity, and impact.

Since joining Eureka, she has immersed herself in meaningful projects across continents, collaborating with teams of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. One project that stood out for her is the CIFF- Sexual and Reproductive Health Market Intelligence Initiative, where she serves on the Technical Review Panel. The role is a perfect convergence of her expertise and passions—her clinical training, her work as a sexual and reproductive health advocate, and her understanding of grassroots realities in Nigeria. She provides methodological insight, identifies market gaps, and helps guide investment priorities. Being from the Global South, she brings context often missing from global health conversations, ensuring that decisions reflect the lived experiences of the communities they intend to serve. For her, it’s meaningful to be in spaces where local voices are not just acknowledged but help shape the way forward.

Her transition from clinical practice into global health was not without challenges. When she first joined Eureka, she had a strong clinical background but limited exposure to global health systems. Instead of seeing this as a setback, she embraced it as motivation. She took on extra learning, sharpened her skills on the job, and eventually pursued a Master’s in Public Health to fill the gaps she had identified. Project-wise, she has encountered challenges common across sub-Saharan Africa, especially data gaps that can make decision-making difficult. But she has learned patience, adaptability, and the value of context-driven approaches. Looking back, she sees these challenges not as barriers but as catalysts for growth.

Reflecting on her time at Eureka, one accomplishment stands out above the rest: her work on the WHO HTS Dashboard (HIV Testing Services). Being part of a team forecasting HIV self-testing products, identifying market gaps, and providing evidence that shapes global investment decisions was deeply fulfilling. Seeing the final dashboards—data visualised in a way that would inform real-world strategies- gave her a moment of pride. It was a reminder that her contributions matter, not just in her country but across the world. Personally, Eureka has also played a significant role in supporting her growth. At the time she joined, she had just started her local nonprofit, Teenage Network, and her work with Eureka strengthened her confidence in influencing decisions at a global scale. The flexibility the organisation provides has allowed her to deepen her advocacy and take on additional consultancies, including with the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative.

Her impact through Teenage Network has been remarkable; she contributed to the influence of two gender-transformative education policies in Nigeria and supported the development of a sexual violence reporting framework for over 4,000 schools. Her organisation also championed the state’s first school re-entry guideline for adolescent mothers—a pioneering effort in Nigeria. These achievements have shown her how advocacy can transform systems and create safer, more inclusive environments for young people. Through Eureka, she now contributes locally and globally, supporting organisations in strengthening access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents.

Outside of work, Olanike loves to travel, seeing it as a way to learn from new cultures and broaden her perspective. She also enjoys dancing—something she hopes to pursue formally someday. For now, TikTok serves as her informal dance studio and a joyful outlet amid her busy advocacy and consulting work.

At Eureka, we value and cherish the passion, dedication, and vision that Olanike brings to our community, and we are proud to walk alongside her as she continues to make meaningful impacts across the world.

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