Salihat
Badamasuiy

My Alumni Story: from Nigeria, to NTU and back as a public health practitioner and telecom regulator

Salihat Badamasuiy, came from Nigeria in 2017 to study for her Masters in Public Health, following in the footsteps of her uncle, doing his PhD at NTU. Salihat shares her passion for public health and life since studying for her Masters of Arts in Public Health at NTU.

I have always been drawn to anything health related, because of my mum who is a nurse. My undergraduate studies was on the Natural and Environmental Sciences with the focus on Environment and Health.  I was exposed to different challenges in our health sector and was further motivated and convinced that health is my passion.

The choice at NTU was because the approach of study for Public Health was different at NTU.  It made me intrigued and curious to explore Masters of Art in Public Health instead of Masters of Science in Public Health; which I truly enjoyed.

As an international student my experience was beautiful.  I settled in quickly as there were lots of international students that made me feel I was not far away from home. I absolutely loved  NTU Global Lounge, it was a place to hang out in between classes, to meet new people. There were different activities which was enlightening; my favourite was the Kenyan Maasai Cricket Warriors that came all the way from Kenya.

After NTU, I came back to Nigeria with so much optimism, hoping to get a good job and make a difference in the field of Public Health Sector, because I had been further equipped with the right tools to excel. However, it was really hard getting any job and believe me I applied to so many.   I spoke with colleagues in the field even if it was an internship, reached out to World Health Organization in Nigeria but there was not vacancy.

I had to think outside the box to create an opportunity for myself and others with like minds in which we can flourish and make a difference. It was not an easy journey, lots of research, networking and soul searching; then I came up with an idea to start a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) on Mental Health and Wellness Initiative which has been fulfilling. Shortly after the NGO incorporation, I got a call from WHO HQ with an offer to intern with them. I accepted the offer and went to Geneva for few months.

The highlight of my career was my experience at the World Health Organisation HQ in Switzerland, working with the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives of Federal Republic of Nigeria for 4 years and the smiles on the faces of people the NGO has helped.

Fast forward to the present day, Salihat is busy in every area of her life, “Having a family, a NGO, and an 8am to 5pm job is very hectic, so I have to be very intentional about work life balance”.

Thinking about the future Salihat said “I have a million and one thing I would love to achieve in the future, but the top on the list that I am most passionate and optimistic about is expanding my NGO to enable us reach wider audiences while achieving our set goals. This is because, the importance of good mental health cannot be overemphasized and yet; it is not given the attention needed.

“I would recommend NTU because I am a product of the prestigious institution. I already recommended my junior brother who will be joining the NTU family hopefully in 2024”.

Salihat's LinkedIn profile