Pate steps down as Gavi’s next CEO
…may take up ministerial appointment under Tinubu
Dr Muhammad Ali Pate has stepped down as the incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gavi, the group announced on Monday.
The group said Gavi had asked to be excused from the new role “to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria”.
The Gavi Board then announced the appointment of Gavi’s COO, David Marlow as Pate’s replacement.
“The Gavi Board decided today to appoint David Marlow, currently Gavi’s Chief Operating Officer, to the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective 3 August 2023.
“The appointment follows a communication from Dr Muhammad Pate, who had been approved by the Gavi Board in February to become Gavi’s next CEO, that he will not be able to join Gavi. Dr Pate informed the Gavi Board Chair and Vice Chair that he has taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria.
“Gavi fully respects the decision and wishes Dr Pate the very best for the future. On informing Gavi, Dr Pate thanked the Chair of the Gavi Board, José Manuel Barroso, the diverse set of Gavi Board members and partners, current CEO Dr. Seth Berkley, and the Secretariat staff for their support over the last few months, commenting that he will remain a steadfast champion of the Gavi mission.
“The Gavi Board is delighted that Mr Marlow has accepted this responsibility and has full confidence in the strength of the Gavi leadership team and the Alliance to support this transition.
“The Gavi Board is committed to delivering on its mission and strategic priorities while it conducts a search for the next CEO,” the statement published on Gavi website said.
The Professor of Public Health Leadership at Harvard Chan School of Public Health was appointed Gavi CEO in February after a year long recruitment process and was meant to be sworn in on August 3.
Pate who was Minister of State for Health between 2011 and 2013 under the Goodluck Jonathan administration may be coming back home to serve in the administration of President Bola Tinubu as a Minister.
