On a significant Thursday, President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of eight special advisers, marking a pivotal moment in Nigerian governance. Among them is Dr. Salma Anas, a seasoned public health expert poised to advise the President on health matters.
Born on March 23, 1966, in Maiduguri, Borno State, Salma Anas began her journey in education at Shehu Garbai Primary School. Her academic path continued at Government Girls College, Maiduguri, culminating in a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Maiduguri in 1989. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Anas has made a profound impact on the health sector. Her expertise spans policy formulation, strategic development, resource mobilization, and the implementation of health programs both nationally and internationally.
Prior to this role, Dr. Anas served as the Director of Family Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health. Here, she oversaw crucial divisions including reproductive health, child health, nutrition, and health promotion. Dr. Anas’s commitment to public health is recognized globally. She has led efforts to enhance reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and elderly health services, with a focus on sexual and reproductive rights and gender-based violence. In 2011, during the tenure of Vice President Kashim Shettima as Governor of Borno State, Dr. Anas was appointed Health Commissioner. Her work during a peak humanitarian crisis earned her accolades, including recognition as the best performing commissioner in the North-east for polio eradication.
Her career includes significant roles in the international arena. Dr. Anas served as the Assistant Country Representative and Head of Reproductive Health/HIV for the UNFPA Nigeria, and led the DFID-funded Maternal Newborn and Child Health project. Her contributions extended to working with the World Health Organization in Yemen.
Dr. Anas’s dedication to service is also a reflection of her family’s legacy. Her father, Ibrahim Anas, a retired police officer, served as Chairman of Biu Local Government Area and later as Deputy Governor of Borno State. He was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics until his passing in 2008. Dr. Salma Anas is married to Hashim Kolo, a retired Air Commodore of the Nigerian Air Force.
