Oluwatoyin Olajumoke Onamade didn’t set out to become a headline-maker. Growing up in Lagos, she was fascinated by the patterns of life: why diseases spread the way they do, and how small changes in health practices could ripple across communities.
Fast forward to 2025, and this Nigerian-born scientist is being celebrated across the globe as Global Scientist of the Year, thanks to her groundbreaking work in public health and pandemic preparedness in Australia.
Her office in Melbourne is unassuming, stacked with research papers, lab reports, and a coffee mug with a faded Nigerian flag. But behind the quiet walls, Onamade has been quietly shaping policies that touch millions of lives.
Governments consult her work when planning disease response strategies; labs follow her protocols to improve accuracy and safety; and students across Africa now look to her as proof that a Nigerian scientist can play in the highest leagues internationally.
What sets her apart isn’t just technical brilliance, it’s curiosity and empathy. Colleagues describe her as someone who “doesn’t just see data, she sees people.” Whether it’s modeling virus spread or advising on vaccination strategies, she always keeps the human impact front and center.
Despite international recognition, Onamade remains deeply connected to her roots. She often recalls her childhood in Lagos, the crowded streets and bustling markets, where health issues were visible and urgent.
“That’s where I learned that science is nothing without context,” she says. It’s this grounding that has made her solutions practical, scalable, and widely respected.
Onamade’s story is more than an award-winning career. It’s a reminder that Nigerian talent is thriving on the world stage, blending intellect, creativity, and heart to make a real difference.
From Lagos classrooms to global health summits, she is proving that expertise knows no borders, and that Nigerian scientists can lead the way in protecting lives worldwide.
