Oluwadamilare Adepoju, recipient of the Excellence in Public Health Advocacy & Global Service 2024 award, has been recognised for his wide-ranging contributions to healthcare and community service across continents. The Crest Award honouree has combined experiences from engineering, culinary arts, and healthcare into a mission of healing that transcends borders.

Speaking on his journey, Adepoju said, “My path has never been straight. But every stage taught me something that I carry with me today. From engineering, I learned structure. From culinary work, I learned discipline. From healthcare, I found my calling to serve with both skill and compassion.”

Adepoju began his academic foundation with a degree in Biology from the University of Abuja. He later applied his expertise in clinical data roles at Somerian Health in Abu Dhabi, supporting medical teams with precise documentation and recordkeeping. Now based in the United Kingdom, he works within the healthcare system to improve patient outcomes while also championing grassroots health awareness among underserved populations.

“I have always believed that service is not about where you are but how you show up,” Adepoju noted. “You do not have to wait until you are in a perfect role to start making a difference. Every act of care matters.”

His work and advocacy have been informed by travels to more than 13 countries, including Kenya, Germany, France, Qatar, and the United States. Reflecting on these experiences, he said, “Traveling and working across borders helped me see the human side of health systems. It reminded me that people everywhere want to feel seen, safe, and supported. Whether in a village in Nigeria or a hospital in London, the need is the same.”

In receiving the 2024 Crest Award, Adepoju emphasised that recognition is only part of the larger mission. “This recognition is not the destination. It is just a reminder that the journey matters, and the people we serve along the way matter even more,” he said.

Adepoju’s career and advocacy continue to reflect a vision of public health leadership built on empathy, adaptability, and commitment to service.