Draft:Sydani Group

Sydani Group is a multinational professional services brand of firms founded by Sidney Sampson in 2019. The organization has its headquarters, tagged, Sydani Tower, in Abuja, Nigeria, and has a country office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Leadership

Sidney Sampson, CEO/GMP of Sydani Group

Sydani Group's leadership is headed by Sidney Sampson, who serves as the Group Managing Partner (GMP). He is supported by Sunday Atobatele, a Partner in the firm, and Dr. Tom Mboya, the Country Director for Sydani Consulting Kenya Limited. The management team also includes several key managers: Andikan Ibanga, Hajiya Kubura Daradara, Akolade Jimoh, and Vivian Ajonu.

The strategic direction of the organization is guided by an Advisory Board chaired by Dr. (Mrs.) 'Dere' Awosika MFR, with Dr. Charles Sokei serving as the alternate Chairman. Other notable members of the board include Barr. (Mrs.) Maryam Uwais OON, Sidney Sampson, and Peter Nwagbogu, who acts as the Board Secretary.

Sydani Tower

Completed in 2022, Sydani Tower is a five-story standalone building that serves as the Sydani Group's headquarters in Abuja's Central Business District, located near key landmarks like the American Embassy and National Hospital. Designed with a modern, three-sided glass exterior and a height of 21 meters, the building combines functionality with a sleek aesthetic.

The tower includes a penthouse, basement parking, and support spaces across six floors. Features include automated access elements, an access-controlled elevator, lounges, kitchens, restrooms, and indoor game spaces for employee relaxation. With 85 parking spaces, a green garden, and wheelchair-accessible facilities, Sydani Tower is both inclusive and equipped for modern corporate needs. Its design and amenities make it a notable office facility in the district.

Sydani Group headquarters at night

Organizational Structure

Sydani Initiative for International Development

This subsidiary focuses on international development projects, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It collaborates with government agencies, NGOs, and funding organizations to implement programs to carry out health, education, and sustainable development projects. In 2019, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) granted Sydani Group $ 1.3 million to support immunization surveillance for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Nigeria.

Between 2017 and 2022, over 57,000 Nigerian nurses and midwives emigrated, largely due to low wages, irregular payments, and poor working conditions. In response, Sydani Group conducted a national survey of 197 health workers across Nigeria's primary care centers to examine these trends under the Human Resources for Health project. Findings showed that 80% of respondents were willing to emigrate, with financial insecurity and inadequate infrastructure cited as key motivators. Sydani's report recommends that the Nigerian government improve wages, ensure timely payment, and introduce rural incentives to retain health workers. Expanding funding and implementing workforce policies were also highlighted as essential steps to address the shortage of qualified health professionals and reduce maternal mortality rates.

In October 2023, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) with support of partner organizations like Gavi and Sydani Group introduced HPV vaccine into the routine immunization system, targeting over seven million girls aged 9 to 14.

In 2023, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with Nigeria's National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), launched the "Southern Religious & Traditional Leaders Engagement (SoRTLE) for PHC Delivery" initiative to address circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) and enhance primary healthcare uptake in Southern Nigeria. Implemented by Sydani Group, this project mobilized traditional and religious leaders across 17 southern states to promote vaccination and improve PHC services.

Key achievements included the successful Lagos OBR campaign in July 2023, which vaccinated 86 previously unreachable children, and the September and November 2023 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs), which saw over 230,000 children vaccinated. Additionally, religious leaders committed to supporting vaccination efforts and establishing permanent vaccination posts at religious centers, helping to resolve over 70% of non-compliance cases. The initiative underscores the critical role of community leaders in healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Sydani Institute for Research and Innovation (SIRI)

The research arm of Sydani Group, led by Dr Olugbemisola Samuel, conducts research and analysis to inform policy decisions and program implementations by the organization and its funding, government, and implementation partners.

Publications

Strengthening care for emergencies: what is the level of awareness and utilization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in FCT, Nigeria?

As part of the Federal Government of Nigeria's initiative to enhance medical coverage, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS) was established and piloted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2022. A study conducted by Sydani Group in June 2023 assessed public awareness and utilization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) among 1,177 FCT residents. Using interviewer-administered questionnaires and purposive sampling, the study found that 57.8% of respondents were aware of EMS, while 42.2% were not. Most respondents (62.7%) were uncertain about the source of EMS information, with only a minority relying on word of mouth (17.7%), traditional media (11.1%), or social media (8.5%). Additionally, 91.4% had not used EMS via the toll-free emergency line, with only 8.6% reporting usage. Logistic regression revealed that age, location, and employment status significantly predicted EMS awareness and utilization, with males having lower odds compared to females. The study concluded that awareness did not necessarily lead to utilization, and these findings should inform interventions to improve EMS access and use in Nigeria.

Integration of Routine Immunization and COVID-19 Vaccination in Ekiti State Primary Health Care Facilities: A Qualitative Assessment of the Enablers and Barriers

The development of the COVID-19 vaccine influenced discussions on integrating COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunization, prompting the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) to advise countries to use the COVID-19 vaccination rollout to strengthen primary healthcare systems. Sydani Group conducted a study in Ekiti State, Nigeria, and assessed the enablers and barriers to this integration. Using a qualitative approach, 40 healthcare workers across primary healthcare facilities and various administrative levels were interviewed. The study identified enablers such as demand generation, social mobilization, health education, training of health workers, data validation, financing, and supervision. Barriers included rumors, demand for palliatives, adverse events following immunization (AEFI), manpower shortages, poor network services, and inadequate road infrastructure. The study concluded that addressing these barriers is crucial for successfully integrating COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunization to strengthen the health system.

Exploring the Perceptions and Experiences of Mobile Teams on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake at the Community Level: Evidence from Benue and Niger States

After implementing various non-pharmaceutical measures, vaccines were developed within a year to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the largest vaccination campaign in history. Nigeria received nearly 4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX Facility, marking a significant step towards global equitable vaccine distribution. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in collaboration with partners, engaged ad-hoc health workers to conduct outreach in various communities to optimize COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The study by the Sydani Group explored the perceptions and experiences of mobile vaccination teams in Benue and Niger states. The exploratory research design included Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 12 mobile teams from 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs). A total of 72 health workers, including vaccinators, validators, EMID recorders, social mobilizers, and paper recorders, participated. The study found that 58.3% of participants were female, and 27.8% held National Certificate Examination (NCE) degrees. Health workers faced challenges in service delivery, health information systems, finance, and logistics, such as misconceptions about the vaccine, requests for incentives, poor network services, inadequate stipends, long distances to communities, lack of transportation, and vaccine stockouts. The study concluded that stakeholders must provide necessary support to mobile health workers to mitigate these challenges.

Controversies

Extended Midwives Services Scheme (eMSS) Backlash

The Expanded Midwives Service Scheme (eMSS) was implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health in the country. The scheme involves the recruitment of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and Community Health Extension Workers, with technical support provided by Sydani Group.

In July 2023, healthcare workers under the eMSS raised concerns over unpaid salary arrears. According to reports by Punch Newspaper, the affected workers had resigned from their previous positions to take up roles with eMSS, following the terms of their appointment letters which stipulated employment from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024. However, they claimed to have not received any salary payments for four months.

Sydani Group confirmed receiving numerous letters from eMSS employees regarding the salary issues, clarifying that Sydani Group was not the employer in this project, stating that NPHCDA held that role. Sydani Group had been contracted solely to provide technical support. In their press statement, they assured the workers that their grievances had been communicated to NPHCDA and that efforts were being made to resolve the payment issues.

Attempts to reach Itoro Ata, the Secretary to the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, for comments, were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages.

The controversy highlighted significant operational challenges within the eMSS, drawing attention to the financial and logistical struggles faced by healthcare workers in Nigeria. The delayed payments have not only affected the livelihoods of these workers but also raised concerns about the efficacy and management of government health initiatives aimed at improving public health outcomes.