African Virologists Elected to Lead World Society for Virology

African Virologists Elected to Lead World Society for Virology

The African Virologists Network (AVN) has congratulated two of its distinguished members, Prof. Marietjie Venter and Prof. Georgina Odaibo, on their election as President and Vice President respectively of the World Society for Virology (WSV).

In a statement issued on behalf of the Chairman of AVN, Prof. Theophilus Adiku, the Executive Council and the entire membership described the development as a landmark achievement for African science and a testament to the continent’s growing influence in global health leadership.

According to the statement, the emergence of the two scholars followed a successful global election process involving virologists from across the world. AVN noted that their election demonstrates that Africa possesses highly trained scientists with strong academic, research and leadership credentials capable of shaping global scientific narratives.

Prof. Marietjie Venter, who holds a PhD in Medical Virology, is a Distinguished Professor and Research Chair in Emerging Viral Threats & One Health (EViTOH) at the Infectious Disease and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) of the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Her Vice President, Prof. Georgina Odaibo, also holds a PhD in Medical Virology and is a Professor of Virology at the University of Ibadan. A three-term Head of Department, she is currently serving with the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria.

The newly elected officers are expected to serve a two-year term from March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2028.

AVN expressed confidence that under their leadership, the WSV will strengthen global collaboration in virology, promote the One Health approach, and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The statement was e-signed by Dr. Abdul-Azeez A. Anjorin (MNYA), AVN Secretariat and Publicity.