Gidado has since held the position of interim director.

Gidado previously served as director of the KNCV-led and USAID-funded Challenge TB Project (2017 - 2020), which has significantly contributed to the strengthening of TB programs and services in 22 different countries and two regions.

For his position at KNCV, Gidado moved from his native Nigeria to The Netherlands in 2017. Previously, he worked as country director for KNCV in Nigeria (2012-2017), after an impressive career at the National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Training Center in Zaria under the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria.

Gidado: “I've always worked in TB control. As a doctor, I have experienced firsthand that people and children died unnecessarily because they did not receive the correct treatment or because TB was discovered too late. That motivates me for this work. We are obliged to prevent this from continuing. I am honored and feel humble to be leading this organization in its mission, a world free of TB.”

Mirella Visser, LLM, chair of the Board of Trustees: “Mustapha Gidado is widely recognized as TB expert with a strong network and connections in TB and in the public health world. He is an inspirational leader. The Board of Trustees is confident that Gidado has the leadership skills to move forward with KNCVs strategy and further strengthen KNCVs excellent reputation as a leading technical agency in the international fight against TB. We are looking forward to continue working together with him as Executive Director.”

KNCV employs over 130 international staff members who support countries in the fight against TB. Every day, 4,000 people worldwide still die of tuberculosis. Unnecessary, because with the right treatment, TB can be cured.