Adaobi Okeke Becomes First African Finalist for TOPRA Horizon Award

By Yusuf Jimoh

In a landmark achievement for African healthcare regulation, Nigerian regulatory affairs specialist Adaobi Okeke has made history as the first-ever African finalist for the esteemed TOPRA (The Organization for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs) Horizon Award. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the development and global recognition of regulatory expertise from the continent.

The TOPRA Horizon Award celebrates exceptional talent in individuals with fewer than five years of experience in regulatory affairs, honoring their accomplishments, leadership, motivation, and dedication to the field. Okeke’s nomination acknowledges her pioneering efforts in streamlining regulatory processes and enhancing healthcare access across West Africa.

“This recognition goes beyond personal achievement—it highlights the growing sophistication of regulatory affairs in Africa,” said Okeke, whose groundbreaking work at Servier has transformed regulatory compliance and market access strategies within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

As the Market Access and Pharmacovigilance Lead at Servier, Okeke has played a pivotal role in securing regulatory approvals for 15 innovative medications, significantly improving Nigeria’s market share in the antihypertensive (38%) and antidiabetic (42%) sectors. Her leadership in the landmark “13 City Hypertension Study” has contributed to updating Nigeria’s hypertension treatment guidelines, underlining the far-reaching impact of her regulatory expertise.

Under her leadership, Servier’s regulatory operations have seen notable improvements, reducing project timelines by 25% and cutting operational expenses by 40%. She also established the company’s first fully operational Regulatory Affairs Department in Nigeria, setting new benchmarks for pharmaceutical compliance in the region.

“Effective regulatory strategy is crucial for advancing healthcare access in Africa,” Okeke emphasized. “We need approaches that balance thorough oversight with the urgent need for medical innovations in our markets.”

A distinguished graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, where she earned her Pharmacy degree with distinction, Okeke has implemented several pioneering initiatives, including a comprehensive compliance program that achieved a 100% adoption rate while reducing ethical concerns by 75%.

Pharmacist Anjola Adeyemo, Director and Co-Founder at Primemerch Pharmaceuticals, praised Okeke’s achievements, stating, “Her work opens new doors for African regulatory professionals and underscores the vital role of regulatory expertise in expanding global healthcare access.”

As the first African finalist for this prestigious award, Okeke’s recognition is expected to inspire more African professionals to pursue careers in regulatory affairs while shining a spotlight on Africa’s growing influence in global healthcare regulation.