Christian Onyia

Christian Onyia manages the project “Scaling up HIV testing and PrEP services among LGBTQ+ in Lagos, Abuja, and Senegal.” He interfaces with key stakeholders, such as relevant government agencies and community gatekeepers, to provide an enabling environment for project implementation. He monitors implementation and provides on- and offsite technical guidance in three project sites within two West African countries. He supervises project coordinators in Lagos and Senegal and supports sub-awardees toward implementing and achieving project objectives. Onyia monitors and provides progress updates to headquarters on the EJAF project. He is responsible for producing and sharing quarterly drafts of project reports.

Onyia has over 22 years of experience in HIV prevention, most of which with have been with key populations. His work in community mobilization and community interventions is vast. Onyia has managed HIV prevention interventions with support from the Ford Foundation West Africa, World Bank, UNODC, Global Fund and Center for Disease Control (CDC). Onyia has been involved in the implementation of qualitative and quantitative research where he led teams to conduct research such as:

• Local epidemic appraisal (LEA), research conducted by Lagos State AIDS control Agency to identify and map key population (KP) hot spots and determine the factors that put them at risk of contracting HIV.
• Mapping and Characterization of MARPs: He participated as a team lead to identify KPs and understand their characteristics using both quantitative and qualitative tools.
• Mapping of KP friendly health facilities in Lagos: Onyia also participated in the mapping of health facilities where KPs access health services in Lagos.
• Study on HIV infection among person living with disabilities.
•  Cost of HIV testing: He led a team which conducted a study to determine actual cost of providing HIV testing services in selected health facilities in Lagos.

Onyia is on an MSc program in international public health with Liverpool John Moore University. He holds a BSc certificate in Accountancy from Imo State University, Nigeria.