Prof. Emem Abasi Bassey was born in Calabar and attended the Hillside International School, Calabar for his primary education. He had his secondary education in Kings College Lagos (1980 – 1985), graduated with an MBBS degree from the University of Benin in 1993 and obtained the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) in April 2003. He is also a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons and holds a Diploma in Health Systems Management from the Galilee International Management Institute, Israel and Certificates in Clinical Management of HIV, Leadership and Management in Health, Epidemiology for Global Health and Project Management in Global Health from the University of Washington, USA and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Liverpool, UK. He was a recipient of travel/training fellowships of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) in 2006 (Federal Ministry of Health Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and 2009 (University of Cape Town/Grotte Schuur Hospital Cape Town, South Africa), University of Assiut, Egypt 2007 and the International Stillbirth Alliance/West Midlands Perinatal Institute Birmingham UK in 2007.
He is an Associate of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology UK, an Affiliate of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN), Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Leadership of Nigeria. He is a recipient of many awards both local and international.
Prof. Emem Bassey is a medical activist and has served as the National Assistant Secretary of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria as well as the Chairman Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, UUTH chapter amongst others. He was also the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC)/Director of Clinical services, Training and Research of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and member of the Board of Management from July 1, 2010 until his appointment as the Honourable Commissioner for Health Akwa Ibom state from June 13 2013 through May 28, 2015. He is currently an Associate Professor with the University of Uyo and Chief Consultant with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and currently the Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. He is a member of the board of ECEWS, Goodwill Ambassador of the Spem Qua Fili Foundation (UK) and has served as a consultant to ECEWS, USAID, JHPIEGO, MSH, SFH, the State and National Malaria Elimination Programme, GHAIN and the National assembly.
Prof. Emem Bassey is a Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow and the Charter President of the Rotary club of Uyo Shelter Afrique. He is the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Cricket Association, plays golf and lawn tennis. He is a devout Christian of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) denomination and is married with 3 children (DAVID, JOSHUA & ESTHER).