Prosper Kanu

Kanu Prosper Ayenmo is an experienced and impact-driven Public Health Professional with over six years of dedicated service in the field of community health development, public health research, and youth-led advocacy. With a B.Sc. in Public Health from the University of Calabar, Nigeria, he has established himself as a passionate change-maker who combines academic excellence with field expertise to advance health equity and empower underserved populations.

Throughout his career, Prosper has demonstrated a consistent commitment to designing, implementing, and evaluating programmes that address some of the most pressing public health challenges, including infectious diseases, poor hygiene practices, drug abuse among youth, and limited access to health education. His journey began with volunteering, where he worked closely with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), leading peer-driven drug awareness campaigns and harm reduction trainings that reached over 1,000 young people across Calabar Metropolis.

In his current role as Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at Shape Society Health Initiative (SSHI), Prosper plays a key leadership role in programme planning, implementation, and impact measurement. He has led several high-impact campaigns, such as tuberculosis sensitisation for over 500 youth, personal hygiene education in three secondary schools, and the successful commemoration of World AIDS Day at the University of Calabar, where over 800 students were tested and sensitised on HIV/AIDS prevention.

He also serves as Head of Research and Planning at Ebri Data Experts, where he supervises data collection teams, manages electronic data systems, and contributes to producing peer-reviewed research publications. His capacity for strategic planning and data-driven analysis has made him a reliable partner in both academic and community-focused research initiatives. In 2025, he co-authored a publication on open defecation and its public health implications, which was published in the African Journal of Biomedical Research.

Prosper’s leadership extends beyond project execution. As President of the National Association of Public Health Students (University of Calabar Chapter), he mobilised over 1,500 students in a campus-wide health screening event during World Health Day, which included malaria and HIV testing, distribution of sanitary pads, and vital signs monitoring. In this role, he also facilitated the administration of hepatitis vaccines and the organisation of the association’s annual health week.

In recognition of his leadership and commitment to sustainable development, he was selected as a Millennium Fellow under the United Nations Millennium Fellowship Class of 2023, where he designed and implemented Project Zero Pills, an anti-drug abuse campaign that reached over 700 secondary school students.

In addition to his project work, Prosper has acquired multiple professional certifications in grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, and research ethics from reputable platforms such as INASP and Philanthropy University. He is well-versed in using digital tools and data collection platforms such as SPSS, Epi Info, ODK Collect, Kobotoolbox, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and more.

Known for his collaborative spirit, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving mindset, Prosper continues to dedicate his time and expertise to improving health systems, promoting community resilience, and empowering youth through research-informed public health interventions.

He believes in the power of inclusive, grassroots-led solutions to solve complex health challenges and aspires to play a central role in shaping responsive public health policies and practices across Africa.