Ossai Ifeanyi: Bridging Healthcare Innovation with Global Diplomacy

Here, we shall bring into the limelight the focus on Ossai Ifeanyi Nwabuonwu Idriss as an exemplar making a critical impact in the realms of healthcare innovation and global diplomacy.

As a co-founder and CEO of CribMD, a trailblazing telemedicine platform in Nigeria, Ossai has made incredible strides in enhancing healthcare access for marginalized communities, leveraging technology to deliver critical medical care.

His initiatives address pressing healthcare needs, especially among rural and marginalized communities, testifying to his steadfast commitment to social change and community well-being.

Ossai Ifeanyi Nwabuonwu

Born on 16th December 1992, in Delta State, Nigeria, Ossai is not only an entrepreneur but also a diplomat and a philanthropist. Having been born into royalty—his father, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Zahir Ike M. Ossai Idriss, a capital market investor, and his mother, Princess Victoria N. Ossai Idriss, a medical doctor—has immensely inspired his drive for service and leadership.

Ossai grew up, half in Delta State and half in London, which was an initial exposure to multiculture and multi-experiences. He had a multidisciplinary education, earning a degree in Engineering and an MBA from the United States-based Avila University.

His educational qualifications include a Corporate Director Certificate in Business Administration and Management from Harvard University and a Business Growth Program with the Africa Management Institute in collaboration with Stanford Seed at Stanford University. All this wide-ranging education has provided him with a sound technical and managerial foundation.

Ossai established CribMD in 2020 with a mission to balance the scale in healthcare access through technology. With him at the helm as CEO, the platform has developed incredibly rapidly, offering subscription telemedicine and on-demand doctor house calls.

He has guided CribMD to raise approximately $2.5 million in seed funding from notable investors such as Norrsken VC, Sputnik VC, and Google, which practically expanded its base and bridged the critical gap in Nigeria’s primary healthcare.

Ossai’s vision also informed the acquisition of Charisland Pharmaceuticals Group that enhanced the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Nigeria and combated fake drugs. CribMD has emerged a leader in the healthcare sector under his leadership, and it was awarded the Outstanding Healthcare Organization of the Year in Nigeria in 2023.

Beyond the health industry, Ossai founded Indigeneex, a sustainable building company specializing in creative procurement and green construction techniques. He has brought results from his foray into the field with multi-million-dollar partnerships and corporate giant deals, even further extending himself into various other industries.

Diplomatic forays by Ossai come from his general love of worldwide development and peacemaking. He was appointed an Ambassador for the Institute for Economics and Peace in 2022 to advance peace initiatives and economic development. His appointment to the Bretton Woods Committee early in 2024 was a highlight, and he became a young global leader in economic debate.

He is a contributing voice to high-level economic policy and sustainable development debate and to poverty alleviation and advancing cooperation globally.

Ossai’s influence is not limited to business and diplomacy; he also has a zeal for philanthropy. His initiatives focus on enhancing access to education and healthcare among poor communities.

Through CribMD, he has reached displaced individuals and rural dwellers with much-needed medical services. In 2024, he and his family were in the headlines for their relief efforts in the United States, providing financial aid to the victims of a violent attack, reflecting his empathy without borders.

His efforts have been rewarded, with a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2023, which identifies him as a healthcare innovation leader. He was also given the African Leadership for Development and Humanitarian Service Hall of Fame Award for his efforts. His activities have been highlighted by the media, indicating his dual approach to business and social responsibility.

Ossai Ifeanyi’s trajectory is evidence of the leadership potential of the young to create a better co-created future. Through entrepreneurial venture, diplomatic maneuvering, and philanthropic engagements, he bridging gaps of healthcare access, community development, and international collaborations, making effective strides towards fashioning a fairer society. His ongoing commitment positions him as a force in Nigeria and world affairs, one of the remarkable examples of what effective leadership has the potential to achieve in causing sustainable change.