Professor Bethrand Brian Odume is a physician, public health specialist, researcher, and health systems leader with extensive experience in tuberculosis (TB), TB/HIV, infectious disease control, implementation science, health systems strengthening, and the deployment of innovative technologies for public health.

He joined KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation in November 2019 as Country Representative for Nigeria and became the pioneer Executive Director of Knowledge Network for disease Control and Vigilance (KNCV) Nigeria in January 2020, leading the organization’s transition into a strong indigenous Nigerian entity. Under his leadership, KNCV Nigeria has expanded its national footprint and program portfolio, supporting TB and broader disease-control interventions across Nigeria and advancing the use of digital health, artificial intelligence, portable digital X-ray, diagnostic connectivity, and community-based approaches to improve access to quality health services.

Professor Odume also served as Chief of Party of the USAID-funded KNCV Nigeria TB-LON Regions 1 & 2 Project, which supported comprehensive TB services across 14 Nigerian states. He has provided strategic leadership to several other donor-supported initiatives and partnerships involving the Global Fund, Gates Foundation, the U.S. Government, and other national and international development partners.

He is the Founder and Lead of the KNCV Nigeria Centre for Research and Innovation in Disease Control (CRID), established to strengthen locally led research, implementation science, innovation, and evidence generation for disease control in Nigeria and beyond.

Professor Odume began his career as a TB Programme Officer with Nigeria’s National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Federal Ministry of Health, before joining the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Nigeria, where he worked from 2012 to 2019. At CDC, he led and supported major TB and TB/HIV programmes and implementation science activities, including research that contributed to improvements in TB programme delivery and infection prevention and control. His work at US CDC earned him international recognition, including awards for excellence in programme delivery and public health protection.

He holds an MBBS, a Master of Public Health (MPH), Membership of the West African College of Physicians (MWACP) in Family Medicine, Membership of the College of General Practitioners (MCGP), and a PhD in Health Systems Management from the University of Port Harcourt. He has also undertaken Executive MBA studies at Quantic University.

An accomplished researcher and academic, Professor Odume has authored and co-authored over 45 scientific publications and contributes extensively to research, capacity building, and implementation science. He holds visiting professorial appointments in public health practice at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He also serves on the Governing Board of the School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt.

Internationally, Professor Odume serves on the Board of Directors of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and co-chairs its Training and Education Subcommittee. He is also the Vice Chair of The Union’s Africa Region. In Nigeria, he is a founding member and Executive Vice Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria and has provided leadership to national TB advocacy and coordination initiatives, including serving as Chair of the National World TB Day Planning Committee.

His professional interests include TB and TB/HIV, health systems strengthening, implementation science, artificial intelligence and digital health, diagnostic innovation, community-based disease detection, health security, and the translation of research and innovation into sustainable public health programmes.

Professor Odume is married to Linda, and they have three sons.

Contact
Email: Bodume@kncvnigeria.org
Phone: +234 803 451 8057