Across Africa, Industrial hygiene faces a set of unique setbacks in the continent’s varied industries. We are not just dealing with missing PPEs or non-compliance, but also looking at a massive informal sector that makes up roughly 93% of the workforce across the agriculture, mining, petroleum, construction, manufacturing and service industries.
Most African workplaces operate with a severe lack of exposure data as well as lack of trained personnel in many regions, with regulatory frameworks that are outdated or absent.
We launched the 2026 Grace Oji Scholarship to find professionals who are ready to tackle these unique problems across the continent. This year, we asked early-career hygienists to identify some of the continent’s salient IH challenges and outline their role in addressing these most urgent priorities.
After going through several submissions, four individuals stood out in addressing the important issues and providing detailed and well-thought-out solutions. They brought real, on-the-ground observations and practical solutions.
Meet the 2026 winners:
- Chinyere Amalahu (Nigeria)
- Judith Akpan (Nigeria)
- Thadei Mwasamila (Tanzania)
- Wilfrida Ojwang (Kenya)
By identifying the issues critically and outlining proposals focused on driving grassroots awareness, capturing accurate quantitative exposure data, and building local capacity where it matters most, the essays submitted by these four applicants stood out the most.
As part of their award, each winner receives full funding to complete a specialized training module thanks to the OHTA’s standardized, high-quality occupational hygiene training accessible across Africa.
The future of industrial hygiene in Africa will not be imported. It will be built locally by practitioners who understand the terrain. Chinyere, Judith, Thadei, and Wilfrida are stepping up to take the lead, and we can’t wait to see all they will achieve in the future of IH in Africa.
Join us in congratulating them.