s3nn2x: Congrats to him. But on a serious note, I don't think he was even relevant in this administration. I still wonder why we have Ministers of State in Nigeria, they are just rubber stamp. I believe he made a very good move, at least I know of Onyebuchi Chukwu, bu the only time I remember hearing this guy's name was was during Ministerial nomination and screening.

Dr (now prof) Ali Pate was formally Executive Director of National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHCDA), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health responsible for primary health in Nigeria. This is the agency championing the eradication of polio in the country. Dr Pate was appointed by president Jonathan into his cabinet as a Minister of state health. His office oversees the activities of NPHCDA and other health agencies.
Congrats to him, he is an achiever.

Dr Pate doesn't have a PhD and of course he's not an academic professor. In the US, every university lecturer (or teacher) is called a professor. An appointed academic professor must have years of experience in teaching and excellent record of research publications. And in most cases, must have a PhD, else may be appointed as Professor of Practice (this is a very rare case however).