Mark Godwin

Master of Public Policy
2021

I am a practicing physician in the Northeast of Nigeria with specialist interests in clinical neurosciences and infectious diseases. Here, at the University of Oxford, I am undertaking studies in public policy (the MPP programme), at the Blavatnik School of Government and a recipient of the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) scholarship. I am also a recipient of the Emerging Global Youth Leaders Fellowship Award.

As a gutsy clinician-scientist with accelerated cross-functional leadership track record across Nigeria’s public sector and public health space, and who holds additional qualifications in Healthcare Administration, I want to build a career at the intersection of Evidence-Based Medicine and Research, and Public Policy. I want to be that scientist who combines competences in data science and medicine with the administrative competencies of policymaking and management. The MPP programme puts me at such a strategic position to do this, and to solve complex health challenges from the complementary lenses of biomedicine and policy. My summer school project would concentrate on developing One Health strategies to tackling the ecosystem determinants of emerging infections with transboundary potential, in Nigeria.

As an international student having to study during a pandemic, GTC constitutes an important aspect of my Oxford experience, in terms of the warmth and support of her staff, students and alumni network, drawn across disciplines, cultures, and races. GTC is inclusive and affords swift access to vast vistas of opportunities and resources for career development, studying, and socialising.

I am also passionately committed to developing junior talent and expanding access to education in Nigeria. Thus, I co-founded the The Scholars Journey Network, which is not-for-profit online platform that has provided career and scholastic guidance, mentorship and scholarship opportunities to over 5,00 talented youngsters in Nigeria and other developing countries within 3 years.

I am enthralled by music, exploring new places and meeting new people, poetry and football. Exploring the magnificent city of Oxford is the newest addition to my retinue.