Zubairu Umaru Kuyanbana

Zubairu Umaru Kuyanbana is an accomplished Medical Laboratory Scientist with over three decades of professional experience in medical laboratory science, public health laboratory systems, and HIV program implementation in Nigeria. He currently serves as the Program Manager for Laboratory Services at the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), where he leads Integrated Molecular Laboratory Services under the ENHANCE and Global Fund projects.

In his current role, Mr. Kuyanbana provides strategic leadership, coordination, and technical oversight of molecular diagnostic services across seven PCR laboratories. He ensures the delivery of high-quality HIV Viral Load (VL), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), and integrated disease testing. He collaborates closely with key national stakeholders, including the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Program (NASCP), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and various donor partners, to strengthen laboratory systems, optimize services, and sustain public health investments in Nigeria.

Mr. Kuyanbana has played a pivotal role in strengthening the national diagnostic network by advancing Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) interoperability with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and the National Data Repository (NDR) platforms. His efforts have improved turnaround times for patient monitoring and treatment outcomes, expanded molecular testing capacity, and enhanced the overall quality and impact of laboratory services nationwide.

Before assuming his current position, he served as Senior Program Officer (Laboratory Services) and Program Officer at IHVN, where he supported laboratory capacity building, mentorship, proficiency testing, and quality improvement initiatives across numerous health facilities. Earlier in his career, he worked with the Plateau and Nasarawa State Hospitals Management Boards, gaining extensive hands-on experience in clinical and public health laboratory operations.

Mr. Kuyanbana holds a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology from Bayero University, Kano, a Bachelor of Technology in Microbiology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and an Associate Certificate of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (AIMLT) from the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, JUTH, Jos.

A dedicated health professional passionate about advancing diagnostic excellence and strengthening public health systems, Zubairu enjoys traveling and reading in his leisure time. He is fluent in English, Alago, and Hausa.