For Maryam Abdullahi, public health is more than a profession it is a lifelong commitment to improving lives through research, evidence-based communication, and community engagement.
Equipped with a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion from Bayero University, Kano, Maryam has spent more than six years advancing public health through research, policy, and community-based interventions across Nigeria.
Her work spans Social and Behavior Change (SBC), tuberculosis (TB), malaria, immunization, maternal and child health, and other critical public health interventions across Nigeria.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with government institutions, development partners, and international organizations to design and implement programmes that promote healthy behaviors, strengthen community participation, and improve access to quality healthcare services.
Her passion lies in translating scientific evidence into practical solutions that address real-life health challenges.
That commitment recently earned her international recognition when she presented her research at the International Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit in Panama one of the world’s leading gatherings of experts in health communication and behavior change.
Maryam’s presentation, titled “Prevalence and Factors Associated with Zero-Dose Vaccination among Under-Five Children in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria,” examined why some children fail to receive routine childhood immunization.
The study explored the social, economic, and health system factors contributing to zero-dose vaccination while offering practical recommendations to improve vaccine uptake through stronger community engagement, effective communication, and responsive health systems.
The research provides valuable evidence for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and development partners seeking to reach underserved communities and reduce childhood vaccine inequities.
The journey to Panama began shortly after Maryam completed her Master’s thesis in 2024.
Encouraged by one of her co-authors, Dr. Olayinka Badmus, she submitted her research abstract to the International SBCC Summit.
Rather than being nominated, Maryam competed alongside researchers from around the world through a rigorous abstract review process. Her work was selected for presentation, affirming the quality and relevance of research emerging from Kano, Nigeria.
For Maryam, the acceptance represented more than personal success.
“It was an opportunity to showcase research conducted in Kano to a global audience and demonstrate that locally generated evidence can contribute to solving global public health challenges,” she says.
At the summit, Maryam presented her findings before an international audience of researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and health communication experts.
She also participated in technical sessions, interactive workshops, and professional networking events, exchanging ideas with experts working to improve health outcomes across different regions of the world.
The experience exposed her to innovative approaches in Social and Behavior Change while strengthening her professional network and broadening her understanding of global public health practice.
She returned to Nigeria with fresh perspectives, new partnerships, and renewed determination to contribute to evidence-based public health programming.
According to Maryam, many of today’s health challenges cannot be solved through medical interventions alone.
Social and Behavior Change (SBC) is a strategic approach that combines research, communication, and community engagement to influence healthier behaviors while addressing the social and cultural factors that shape people’s decisions.
Whether increasing childhood immunization coverage, preventing malaria, controlling tuberculosis, improving maternal and child health, or promoting healthier lifestyles, SBC helps individuals and communities make informed decisions that lead to lasting improvements in health outcomes.
She believes that effective communication remains one of the strongest tools for transforming health systems and empowering communities.
Maryam remains committed to advancing public health through research, innovation, and evidence-based Social and Behavior Change strategies.
She hopes her journey will encourage more young researchers and public health professionals to pursue excellence, embrace opportunities for learning, and use research to address pressing health challenges.
Reflecting on her journey, she expresses gratitude to her parents, mentors, colleagues, family members, co-authors, and everyone who has supported her academic and professional growth.
For Maryam Abdullahi, the journey from Kano to the international stage is not the destination it is another step in a career dedicated to ensuring that research informs action and that communities everywhere have the knowledge and support they need to live healthier lives.