Prof. Christian Happi, a leading Nigerian molecular biologist and director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH) at Redeemer’s University, Ede, has been named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME magazine.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement released by Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs at Redeemer’s University, Osun State.
Prof. Happi joins an elite list of global figures recognized by TIME in its annual TIME100 issue, which includes Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Serena Williams, J.D. Vance, Muhammad Yunus, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Botswana’s opposition leader, Duma Boko.
A globally acclaimed expert in infectious disease genomics, Prof. Happi has been at the forefront of several landmark medical breakthroughs on the African continent. His real-time genomic surveillance work has shaped global responses to disease outbreaks for over a decade.
He played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s public health landscape by confirming the country’s first Ebola case in 2014, helping to avert a nationwide crisis through swift collaboration with health authorities.
His leadership was equally instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within 48 hours of receiving a sample, Happi’s lab performed Africa’s first sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using next-generation genomic technology — a development that advanced global understanding of the virus and supported the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
In response to the honour, Prof. Happi remarked:
“This TIME100 recognition is a personal milestone and a moment of pride for IGH, Redeemer’s University, and the broader scientific community in Africa. It puts a spotlight on the critical contributions African scientists are making to global health.”
Prof. Shadrach Akindele, Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, praised the recognition as a testament to the international relevance of Prof. Happi’s work.
“This honour is more than a personal award—it reflects the global acceptance and impact of his scientific innovations,” Akindele stated.
Prof. Happi’s recognition by TIME is not only a moment of national pride but a beacon of possibility for Africa’s scientific and academic institutions striving to make a difference on the world stage.
