AfriWon

Dr. Ibrahim Banaru Abubakar (Nigeria)

Dr. Ibrahim Banaru Abubakar is a Consultant Family Physician and Clinical Governance Expert at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria, providing first-contact, longitudinal, and person-centered care. A Fellow of the West African College of Physicians in Family Medicine, he holds specialist expertise in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with an MPhil focused on policy research and advocacy. He also holds advanced degrees in Health Economics, Medical Leadership, and Reproductive Health, which he applies to advance health equity, social protection, and sustainable development.

Dr. Banaru has played a key role in Nigeria’s health policy, serving as Technical Assistant for the Nigeria Medium-Term National Development Plan and Nigeria Agenda 2050, and currently as Technical Anchor for Health Policy at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), leading workshops and policy initiatives to advance universal health coverage. Globally, he is a member of the WHO Expert Group on SRHR and Universal Health Coverage, providing evidence-informed guidance to strengthen health systems.

Within WONCA, he has held multiple leadership roles in AfriWon, including Nigeria Country Representative, Deputy Secretary, Secretary, and now Chair (2025–2027), also serving on the WONCA Africa Region Executive Committee. He is active in the Lifestyle Medicine Special Interest Group and the Working Parties on Ethics, Professionalism, and Ageing.

Nationally, Dr. Banaru chairs the Kaduna Chapter of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria and the Northwest Zone in the National Executive Council. He is recognized for mentorship, public speaking, and capacity-building, advancing equitable, inclusive, and youth-driven healthcare across Africa.

Email Chair

Co-Convenors and Other Office Bearers

• Deputy Chairperson 1: Dr. Njeri Nyanja (Kenya)
• Deputy Chairperson 2: Dr. Wongani Kumwenda (Malawi)
• Secretary: Dr. Anna Kabona (Uganda)
• Treasurer: Dr. Mandisa Tenego (Botswana)

Theme Leads

• Research: Dr. Peace Nantale (Uganda)
• Education & Training: Dr. Yaone Bogatsu (Botswana)
• Rural: Dr. Susan Miako (Kenya)
• Exchange: Dr. Brenda Maingi (Kenya)
• Beyond AfriWon: Dr. Daniel Machuor Arok (South Sudan)

Past Leaderships of AfriWon

• 2023 - 2025
  Chair: Dr. Mercy Nafula Wanjala (Kenya)
  Secretary: Dr. Ibrahim Banaru Abubakar (Nigeria)
• 2021 - 2023
  Chair: Dr. Ettang Enwongo (South Africa)
  Secretary: Dr. Nana Affare (Ghana)
• 2018 - 2021
  Chair: Dr. Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng (Ghana)
  Secretary: Dr. Moyosore Makinde (Nigeria)
• 2016 - 2018
  Chair: Dr. Joy Mugambi (Kenya)
  Secretary: Dr. Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng (Ghana)
• 2013 - 2016
  Chair: Dr. Kayode Alao (Nigeria)
  Secretary: Dr. Aramide Oteju (Nigeria)

The main objective of AfriWon RENAISSANCE is to organize young and future GPs/FM through:

• Providing a forum in support for trainees and young GPs / FPs in Africa.

• Developing family medicine and primary health care in Africa in service, training and research amongst young doctors.

• Establishing a communication network between African trainees and young GPs / FPs and identifying their concerns, doubts and needs and helping to address them.

• Encouraging a global and youthful African perspective, with global exposure and leadership development.

Alongside our objectives, the following are 2016-2018 strategic themes that will guide our activities for the next two years:
1. Membership growth
2. Advocacy for young African family physicians
3. Communication and Publicity
4. Research capacity building
5. Exchange Collaboration
6. Resources Mobilisation/Financing

Key AfriWon activities are as follows:
• A current membership drive is ongoing through this link: https://goo.gl/forms/Ip5x42Ygn0CNz98s2 The aim is to have a complete database for young FPs and FM trainees in Africa.
• While the above link is for young FPs and FM trainees in Africa, engagement with interested stakeholders (e.g. Medical officers, Medical students, Nurses, Pharmacists etc) will continue on our Telegram and Twitter accounts.
• Our Facebook account provides an avenue for interaction and collaboration among young FPs and FM trainees within Africa and beyond. It is also an avenue to engage with members of other YDMs as well as Senior FPs
• We are interested in developing country-based AfriWon membership, structures and activities across Africa. This will include building National structures aimed at promoting the activities of the Theme groups in the various African countries. Indeed, this will take our vision closer to the young African FPs and Trainees.
• We are also working at fostering a collaborative relationship between AfriWon and its parent body- WONCA Africa. This collaboration will also include WONCA Member Organisations in all African countries.
• We also have begun promoting Young Family Doctor Exchanges within Africa. This will include intra-country Exchanges as well as intra-regional and international exchanges