UK‑Based Nigerian PhD Student Wins Prestigious Health Impact Award
A Nigerian doctoral student studying in the United Kingdom has won a major health impact award for her innovative public health project addressing antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria.
Winifred Maduko, a PhD candidate at the University of St Andrews, was honoured with the Achieved Impact Award at the 2025 Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) Impact Competition, held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The annual event recognises doctoral research that delivers measurable social and economic benefits.
Maduko’s project, entitled “Grassroots Interventions for Antibiotic Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance in Nigeria”, was selected for its effective translation of academic research into real‑world public health action. The initiative aims to tackle the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria by engaging local communities to promote responsible use of antibiotics and counter widespread misconceptions about medication misuse.
The programme involved interactive community workshops where about 30 participants co‑created public health materials, including posters, radio jingles and a short film, designed to raise awareness about antibiotic misuse. These materials were later showcased at a public engagement event, fostering broader dialogue on antibiotic stewardship within the communities involved.
Beyond local engagement, the project gained attention across media platforms and resulted in the production of a documentary to sustain awareness efforts. It also built partnerships with Nigerian organisations to strengthen collaboration between academic research and community health action.
Maduko said the award is a significant milestone in her academic career and professional development, noting that she plans to use the accompanying prize to expand dissemination of the project’s outputs and deepen stakeholder involvement in Nigeria.
The SGSSS competition drew around 40 doctoral researchers from universities across Scotland, with finalists recognised for both planned and achieved impact in their respective fields.