Professor Richard Adegbola is a Consultant and Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and Independent Consultant in Immunisation and Global Health at RAMBICON, Lagos. He has made an outstanding contribution to microbial infections and global health for more than three decades. He trained as a Microbiologist in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom. He has worked in diagnostic microbiology, academia, philanthropy and pharmaceutical industry, across three continents. As a scientist he has ensured that his work is of the highest international standard and of great relevance to the needs of developing countries, particularly Africa. The impact of his work from the MRC Unit The Gambia on the epidemiology and prevention of Hib and pneumococcal diseases is a matter of public record and is well recognized within the field. Hib disease has virtually disappeared from countries in which Hib conjugate vaccines have been introduced, saving many lives, and preventing long-lasting disability. The overall direction of his work is aimed at epidemiology and prevention of pneumonia, and reduction of childhood mortality. Prof Adegbola is a fervent advocate of capacity development. In The Gambia, he taught and developed many young scientists from Africa. He has retained strong links with Nigeria, supporting colleagues in several Nigerian Universities. He has achieved many recognitions of his contributions including an honorary Professorship at University of Leicester, election to Fellowships of the UK’s Royal College of Pathologists and Royal College of Physicians, and the Nigerian Academy of Science. Prof Adegbola was a member of the World Health Organization’s Meningitis Vaccine Project Advisory Group and was Vice Chair of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Board. He is a member of the WHO Africa Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG), and a Trustee of the Expanded Civil Society Initiative on Immunization in Nigeria.