Dr. Chibuzor C Nnanatu

Dr. Chibuzor C Nnanatu is a LECTURER I in STATISTICS Department, Faculty Of Physical Sciences in Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Dr. Chibuzor C Nnanatu

Staff Profile

Dr Chibuzor Nnanatu is a talented Lecturer with the Department of Statistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. My areas of expertise span over Bayesian statistics, Computational statistics, and Spatial & Spatio-temporal statistical modelling with focus on tackling topical environmental and public health issues including environmental pollution,  and promotion of child and maternal health. I have a BSc (Unizik), MSc (Unizik) and PhD (Lancaster) all in statistics with teaching and research experience spanning over 12 years. My current research activities evolve around the development of novel Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms and integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) techniques for the analysis of complex household surveys data such as the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), and data emanating from partially observed complicated endemic diseases including Covid-19. 

Personal Information

Email:
Phone:
Address:
Statistics, Faculty Of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Faculty/Unit:
FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Department/Sub-Unit:
STATISTICS

Social Profiles

Academic Qualifications

Degrees / Basic Certificates
1Lancaster University. (Doctor of Philosophy, December, 2021)
May, 2014 to April, 2018
PhD Statistics
2Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa. (Master Degree, February, 2011)
February, 2009 to February, 2011
MSc Statistics
3Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa. (Bachelor Degree, July, 2006)
January, 2002 to June, 2006
BSc Statistics

Relevant/Working Experience

1Founder and Lead, Geospatial Modelling for Population, Health & the Environment Network (GEMPHaEN)
February, 2026 to Present
2Head of Spatial Statistics and population modelling team, WorldPop Research Group
January, 2024 to March, 2026
3Team Leader, Spatial Statistics and Population Modelling, WorldPop Research Group, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
February, 2023 to February, 2024
4Senior Research Fellow in Spatial Statistics and Population Modelling, WorldPop Research Group, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
February, 2023 to February, 2024
5Lecturer I, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
October, 2021 to June, 9999
6Resource person, pre-conference workshop NSA conference , Makurdi, Benue state, 2012, Nigerian Statistical Association
September, 2012 to September, 2012
7Lecturer II, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
February, 2012 to September, 2024
8Secretary, NSA Anambra State Chapter, Nigerian Statistical Association
February, 2012 to April, 2014
9Assistant Lecturer, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
February, 2011 to February, 2012
10Secretary, Statistical Research and Consulting Group, Department of Statistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
February, 2011 to May, 2013
11Resource person, pre-conference workshop NSA conference , Owerri, Imo state, 2010, Nigerian Statistical Association
September, 2010 to September, 2010
12Graduate Assistant, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
October, 2009 to February, 2011

Creative Output

Book Chapters
1Arcaio, M., Parroco, A.M., Nnanatu, C.C.. (2025, January) Evaluating the Geographical Patterns of Intimate Partner Violence in Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe Using INLA-SPDE Approach. Springer Nature
Journal Articles
1Gadiaga A. N., Tine M. W., Diene A. N., Linard C., Speybroeck N., Yankey O., Chaudhuri S., Nnanatu C. C., Cleary E., Lai S., Lazar A. N., Tatem A. J.. (2026, June), "Spatio-temporal modelling of COVID-19 infection and associated risk factors in Dakar, Senegal", PLOS Glob Public Health
2Nnanatu, C.C., Bonnie, A., Joseph, J. et al. (2025, May), "Estimating small area population from health intervention campaign surveys and partially observed settlement data", Nature Communications
3Boo G, Darin E, Chamberlain HR, Hosner R, Akilimali PK, Kazadi HM, .., Nnanatu, CC, .., Tatem, AJ. (2025, September), "Tackling public health data gaps through Bayesian high-resolution population estimation: A case study of Kasaï-Oriental, Democratic Republic of the Congo", Unknown Journal or Publisher
4Morlighem, C., Nnanatu, C.C., Aheto, J.M.K. et al. (2025, August), "Integrating vulnerability and hazard in malaria risk mapping: the elimination context of Senegal", BMC Infectious Disease
5Visée C, Morlighem C, Nnanatu CC. (2025, May), "A robust cross-sectional assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of female genital mutilation among 0–14 years old girls in Nigeria.", Women's Health
6Morlighem C, Nnanatu CC, Visée C, Fall A, Linard C. (2025, May), "Spatial interpolation of health and demographic variables: Predicting malaria indicators with and without covariates", PLoS ONE
7Yankey, O., Utazi, C. E., Nnanatu, C. C., Gadiaga, A. N., Abbot, T., Lazar, A. N., & Tatem, A. J.. (2024, November), "Disaggregating Census Data for Population Mapping Using a Bayesian Additive Regression Tree Model.", Applied Geography
8K Ono, I Katara, S K Eliasen, C Broms, A Campbell, T C dos Santos Schmidt, A Egan, S N Hølleland, J A Jacobsen, T Jansen, S Mackinson, E A Mousing, R D M Nash, N Nikolioudakis, C Nnanatu, L Nøttestad, W Singh, A Slotte, K Wieland, A H Olafsdottir. (2024, August), "Effect of environmental drivers on the spatiotemporal distribution of mackerel at age in the Nordic Seas during 2010−20", ICES JMS
9Morlighem, C., Visée, C. & Nnanatu, C.C.. (2024, July), "Comparison of FGM prevalence among Nigerian women aged 15–49 years using two household surveys conducted before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.", BMC Public Health
10Die Zhang, Yong Ge, Jianghao Wang, Haiyan Liu, Wen-Bin Zhang, Xilin Wu, Gerard BM Heuvelink, Chaoyang Wu, Juan Yang, Nick W Ruktanonchai, Sarchil H Qader, Corrine W Ruktanonchai, Eimear Cleary, Yongcheng Yao, Jian Liu, Chibuzor C Nnanatu, Amy Wesolowski, Derek AT Cummings, Andrew J Tatem, Shengjie Lai. (2024, July), "Optimizing the detection of emerging infections using mobility-based spatial sampling", International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
11C. Edson Utazi, Justice M.K. Aheto, Adelle Wigley, Natalia Tejedor-Garavito, Amy Bonnie, Christopher C. Nnanatu, John Wagai, Cheryl Williams, Hamidreza Setayesh, Andrew J. Tatem, Felicity T. Cutts. (2023, January), "Mapping the distribution of zero-dose children to assess the performance of vaccine delivery strategies and their relationships with measles incidence in Nigeria", Vaccine
12Emmanuel Afuecheta, Chigozie Utazi, Edmore Ranganai, Chibuzor Nnanatu. (2023, April), "An Application of extreme value theory for measuring Financial Risk in BRICS Economies", Annals of Data Science
13Nnanatu, C.C., Fagbamigbe, A.F., Afuecheta, E., Utazi, C.E. (2022, December), "Spatially Varying Intergenerational Changes in the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Nigeria: Lessons Learnt from a Recent Household Survey.", Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy
14Philip D Lamb, Vera G Fonseca, David L Maxwell, Chibuzor C Nnanatu. (2022, October), "Systematic review and meta‐analysis: Water type and temperature affect environmental DNA decay", Molecular Ecology Resources
15Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe, Emmanuel Afuecheta, Chigozie Edson Utazi. (2022, December), "Spatially varying intergenerational changes in the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in Nigeria: lessons learnt from a recent household survey", Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy
16Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu ,Glory Atilola,Paul Komba,Lubanzadio Mavatikua,Zhuzhi Moore,Dennis Matanda,Otibho Obianwu,Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala. (2021, February), "Evaluating Changes In The Prevalence Of Female Genital Mutilation/cutting Among 0-14 Years Old Girls In Nigeria Using Data From Multiple Surveys: A Novel Bayesian Hierarchical Spatio-temporal Model", PLoS ONE
17Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala,Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Glory Atilola,Paul Komba,Lubanzadio Mavatikua ,Zhuzhi Moore, Dennis Matanda. (2021, April), "Analysing Normative Influences On The Prevalence Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among 0–14 Years Old Girls In Senegal: A Spatial Bayesian Hierarchical Regression Approach", Unknown Journal or Publisher
18Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala , Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu,Natisha Dukhi, Ronel Sewpaul, Adlai Davids, Sasiragha Priscilla Reddy. (2021, May), "Mapping The Burden Of Hypertension In South Africa: A Comparative Analysis Of The National 2012 SANHANES And The 2016 Demographic And Health Survey", Unknown Journal or Publisher
19Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe & Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu. (2021, March), "Modelling The Spatial Distribution And The Factors Associated With Under-Five Mortality In Nigeria", Unknown Journal or Publisher
20Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Glory Atilola, Paul Komba, Lubanzadio Mavatikua, Zhuzhi Moore, Gerry Mackie, Bettina Shell-Dunca. (2019, October), "A Spatial Analysis Of The Prevalence Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among 0–14-Year-Old Girls In Kenya", Unknown Journal or Publisher
21C. Edson Utazi, Emmanuel O. Afuecheta, C. Christopher Nnanatu. (2018, February), "A Bayesian Latent Process Spatiotemporal Regression Model For Areal Count Data", Unknown Journal or Publisher
22Abidemi, Awopeju and Odum, Jane Ogechukwu and Nnanatu, Chibuzor. (2013, July), "Level of Intelligence among Best Brains in Mathematics in Nigeria Secondary Schools (South-East geopolitical zone): Candid state of Nigeria Educational Standard.", Journal of Culture, Society and Development
23CA Oyeka, EO Afuecheta, GU Ebuh, CC Nnanatu, HO Obiora-Ilouno. (2012, March), "[PDF] From Researchgate.net Partitioning The Total Chi-Square Statistic For Matched Dichotomous Data", Unknown Journal or Publisher
24I.C.A. Oyeka & C.C. Nnanatu. (2011, November), "Pairwise Comparison In Repeated Measures", Unknown Journal or Publisher
Thesis
1Chibuzor Nnanatu. (2018, July), "Statistical Modeling And Analysis Of Partially Observed Infectious Diseases.".
Dissertations
1Nnanatu, C.C.. (2011, February), "Stepwise methods in discriminant analysis". MSc. Statistics thesis submitted to the Department of Statistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 2011. Supervised by Prof Sidney I. Onyeagu
Conference Papers
1Chibuzor Chris Nnanatu, Amy Bonnie , Josiah Joseph , Ortis Yankey , Duygu Cihan, Assane Gadiaga , Mercedita Tia , Marielle Sander , Attila Lazar , Andrew Tatem. (2024, June), "A Two-Step Bayesian Hierarchical Modelling Approach for Estimating Population Density when Settlement Data are Partially Observed",
2Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu1, Ortis Yankey1, Anaclet Désiré Dzossa , Thomas Abbott , Assane Gadiaga , Attila Lazar , Andrew J Tatem. (2024, May), "Integrating multiple household-based data with satellite-based observations to produce high-resolution population estimates in LMICs using INLA-SPDE",
3Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu. (2024, March), "Fast and efficient approach for combining satellite imagery and multiple sources of data for improved population estimates",
4Camille Morlighem, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Corentin Visée, Catherine Linard. (2023, September), "R03. 3 Predicting socioeconomic and intervention-related factors influencing the risk of vector-borne diseases using Demographic and Health Surveys; a case study of malaria",
5Nnanatu,C.C., Atilola, G., Mavatikua,L., Komba,P., Moore, Z., Matanda, D., Kandala,N-B.(. (2019, August), "Modelling and mapping female genital mutilation/cutting among 0-14 years old girls in Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. ISI World Statistics Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 18-23 August, 2019", ISR
6Martindale, Jane and Gladston Chelliah, Easwaradhas and Milan, Stephen James and Nnanatu, Chibuzor and Goodacre, John Alan. (2017, June), "The challenges of living with Ankylosing Spondylitis/Axial SpA throughout the life course: A prospective longitudinal study of the first 3 years from diagnosis In: BRITSpA Annual Scientific Meeting, 2017-09-202017-09-21, Hilton Metropole Hotel.", BRITSpA Annual Scientific Meeting
7Nnanatu, C.C. and Neal, PJ. (2015, August), "Analysis of Household-based SIS Models of Endemic Diseases. A talk presented at the 38th Research Students’ Conference (RSC) in Probability and Statistics, 3rd – 6th August 2015 at University of Leeds, UK",
8C.C. Nnanatu, S.I. Onyeagu and G.A. Osuji. (2010, October), "“A Comparative Study on the Robustness of four Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) test statistics”. Proceeding of the 34th Conference of the Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) held at Concord Hotel Owerri from 22nd to 24th Sept. 2010.",
9G.A. Osuji, U.V. Ogbonna, C.C. Nnanatu, E.O. Afuecheta and D.F. Nwosu. (2010, October), "“Multivariate Analysis of Tailor’s Measurements of Trousers”. Proceedings of the 34th Conference of the Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) held at Concord Hotel Owerri from 22nd to 24th Sept 2010.",
Technical Reports
1KS, Krishnaveni, Yankey, Ortis, Nnanatu, Chris, Abbott, Thomas, Chamberlain, Heather, Lazar, Attila and Tatem, Andrew. (2025) Modelled gridded population estimates for Mongala Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo version 4.3.
2Nnanatu, Chris, Yankey, Ortis, Chaudhuri, Somnath, Chamberlain, Heather, Lazar, Attila and Tatem, Andrew. (2025) Modelled gridded population estimates for Kwilu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo version 4.2.
3Nnanatu C.C., Gadiaga A., Abbott T. J., Chamberlain H., Lazar A. N., Tatem A. J.. (2025) Modelled gridded population estimates for Nigeria 2025 version 3.0. WorldPop
4Nnanatu C., Yankey O., Chamberlain H., Krishnaveni K S, Lazar A. N., Tatem A. J.. (2025) Bottom-up gridded population estimates for Haut-Uele Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2023), version 4.4.
5Nnanatu, Chris, Yankey, Ortis, Abbott, Thomas, Gadiaga, Assane, Lazar, Attila, Darin, Édith and Tatem, Andrew. (2024) Modelled gridded population estimates for Cameroon 2022. Version 1.0. University of Southampton
6Nnanatu, Chris, Yankey, Ortis, Abbott, Thomas, Bonnie, Amy, Chamberlain, Heather, Lazar, Attila and Tatem, Andrew. (2024) Modelled gridded population estimates for Maniema Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo version 4.1.
7Nnanatu, Chris, Yankey, Ortis, Bonnie, Amy, Abbott, Thomas, Chamberlain, Heather, Lazar, Attila and Tatem, Andrew. (2024) Modelled gridded population estimates for Tanganyinka Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo version 4.1.
8Nnanatu, Chris, Yankey, Ortis, Abbott, Thomas, Bonnie, Amy, Chamberlain, Heather, Lazar, Attila and Tatem, Andrew. (2024) Modelled gridded population estimates for Haut-Lomami Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo version 4.1.
935) Yankey, Ortis, Nnanatu, Chris, Abbott, Thomas, Bonnie, Amy, Chamberlain, Heather, Lazar, Attila and Tatem, Andrew. (2024) Modelled gridded population estimates for Haut-Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo version 4.1.
10Matanda, Dennis, Glory Atilola, Zhuzhi Moore, Paul Komba, Lubanzadio Mavatikua, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, and Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala. (2020) Female genital mutilation/cutting in Senegal: Is the practice declining? Descriptive analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys, 2005-2017 Population Council.
11Kandala, Ngianga-Bakwin, Paul Komba, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Glory Atilola, Lubanzadio Mavatikua, Zhuzhi Moore, and Dennis Matanda. (2020) Modelling and mapping of state disparities associated with female genital mutilation/cutting prevalence among girls aged 0-14 years in Nigeria: Evidence from DHS and MICS 2003-2017 Population Council
12Kandala, Ngianga-Bakwin, Paul Komba, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Glory Atilola, Lubanzadio Mavatikua, Zhuzhi Moore, and Dennis Matanda. (2020) Modelling and mapping of regional disparities associated with female genital mutilation/cutting prevalence among girls aged 0–14 Years in Senegal: Evidence from Senegal (SDHS) Surveys 2005–2017 Population Council.
13Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Glory Atilola, Chibuzor Christopher Nnanatu, Emmanuel Ogundimu, Lubanzadio Mavatikua Paul Komba Zhuzhi Moore Dennis Matanda. (2020) Female Genital Mutilation/cutting In Nigeria: Is The Practice Declining? A Descriptive Analysis Of Successive Demographic And Health Surveys And Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (2003–2017)
Other Relevant Publications
1Nnanatu, C. C., Yusuf, M. A., Chaudhuri, S., Yankey, O., Lazar, A. N., & Tatem, A. J.. "jollofR: Small Area Population Estimation by Demographics. R package version 0.6.4.", (Code, 2025 August)
2Nnanatu, C.C.. "MCMC Techniques and Spatial Statistics", (Presentation, 2021 July)
3Nnanatu, C.C.. "Robust Data Augmentation algorithms for the analysis of infectious disease data. A talk presented at Statistics Seminar, Lancaster University. May 25, 2016.", (Presentation, 2016 May)

Academic Leadership Qualities

Supervisions
1"Multi-source data and methods for malaria risk mapping in Senegal: building on the Hazard–Vulnerability framework" (2025). Completed Doctorate project by Camille Morlighem
2""Evaluating the performance of Machine Learning based approach to feature selection versus traditional stepwise regression: A comparative study using household-based datasets in low-income settings"" (2025). Completed Masters project by Xiangyue Huo
Grants
1Awardee: "“Estimation of Populations targeted for vaccination through Geospatial Modeling" (January, 2025 to December, 2025). Completed sponsored grant by GAVI
2Awardee: "Co-development of modelled population estimates for Ethiopia with the Ethiopian Statistical Services" (December, 2024 to March, 2025). Completed sponsored grant by UNFPA
3Awardee: "Data for Development" (November, 2023 to January, 2025). Completed sponsored grant by FCDO
4Awardee: "Reach the Unreached Initiative" (September, 2023 to December, 2025). Completed sponsored grant by UNICEF
5Awardee: "Technical Assistance for implementation of hybrid census in Thailand" (October, 2023 to December, 2024). Completed sponsored grant by UNFPA
Editorships
1Editor, "Discover Global Society: Geospatial Intelligence for Global Society: Population Modelling, Spatial Demography, Epidemiology & Social Change" (April, 2026)
2Chief Editor, "The Journal of Applied Statistics and Integrated Modeling Systems (JASIMS)" (May, 2026)
Reviewerships
1Reviewer, "Impact of introduction of the AntiFGM law on the practice of FGM in Garissa County, Kenya: A cross sectional study" (October, 2021)
2Reviewer, "Hotspots of female genital mutilation/cutting and associated factors among girls in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis" (January, 2021)
3Reviewer, "Spatiotemporal Calibration of Atmospheric Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Estimates From an Air Quality Model for Connecticut" (November, 2019)
Contributions to the University/Society
1Supervisory Presiding Officer/Ward Collation Officer, "Independent National Electoral Commission" (November, 2013 to November, 2013)
21st Vice President, "Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International, Chillers Unizik Tempsite Branch" (February, 2012 to April, 2014)
3Chairman, "Nzuko Oha Okija N'Awka" (September, 2012 to April, 2014)
4AfriHub Officer, Faculty of Physical Science, Unizik, "Nnamdi Azikiwe University" (August, 2011 to December, 2013)
5Director of Social activities, Departmental Board, Department of Statistics, Unizik, "Nnamdi Azikiwe University" (August, 2011 to April, 2014)
6Supervisory Presiding Officer, "Independent National Electoral Commission" (April, 2011 to April, 2011)
7President, "Umuokarafor Youth Forum" (December, 2011 to March, 2014)

Membership of Professional/Relevant Bodies

1Full Member, "London Mathematical Society" (member since 2016), https://www.lms.ac.uk/
2Full Member, "Nigerian Statistical Association" (member since 2010), https://nsang.org/

Relevant Events Attended

Conferences
1"Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp", (Data Science Nigeria), 21st October, 2025 to 21st October, 2025; Lagos, Nigeria
2"2025 Royal Statistical Society (RSS) conference", (Royal Statistical Society), 1st September, 2025 to 4th September, 2025; Edinburgh, Scotland
3"2025 Joint Statistical Meeting (2025 JSM)", (American Statistical Association (ASA) and Royal Statistical Society (RSS)), 2nd August, 2025 to 7th August, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
4"international conference on Advanced Geospatial Statistical Modelling in R with Applications in Global Health, Population Studies, Agriculture and Weather Derivatives", (Department of Statistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University), 5th October, 2024 to 8th October, 2024; Awka
5"European Population Conference 2024", (The European Association for Population Studies), 12th June, 2024 to 15th June, 2024; University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
6"African Population Conference 2024", (The Union of African Population Studies (UAPS)), 20th May, 2024 to 24th May, 2024; Lilongwe, Malawi
7"64th ISI World Statistics Congress - Ottawa, Canada", (The International Statistical Institute), 16th July, 2023 to 20th July, 2023; Ottawa, Canada
8"ISI World Statistics Congress", (ISI), 18th August, 2019 to 23rd August, 2019; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Workshops
1"Workshop and capacity straightening on hybrid census implementation in Cameroon", (United Nations Population Fund, Cameroon), 15th December, 2025 to 19th December, 2025; Yaounde, Cameroon
2"High-Level Engagement and Advocacy Meeting on the Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA)", (United Nations Population Fund West and Central Africa Regional Office), 15th July, 2025 to 18th July, 2025; Dakar, Senegal
3"Workshop on spatial statistical population modelling techniques for Thailand National Statistical Office", (United Nations Population Fund, Thailand and Thailand National Statistical Office), 28th November, 2022 to 2nd December, 2022; Bangkok, Thailand
Seminar
1"Roles of Spatial Statistics in Social Science", (University of Palermo, Italy), 2nd December, 2024 to 6th December, 2024; Palermo, Italy