Professor John Obafunwa appointed as new DG Institute of Medical Research

The appointment of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, or NIMR, has been accepted by President Bola Tinubu.

Professor Babatunde Salako, whose term ends on July 23, 2024, is succeeded by Professor Obafunwa.

According to a statement released by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesman, the appointment is effective as of July 24, 2024.

In the statement, President Tinubu expressed his appreciation for Professor Salako’s contributions to the country.

After earning his medical degree from the University of Lagos in 1980, Professor Obafunwa focused on anatomic pathology, or the morphological study of diseases, and graduated in May 1987. Later, in Scotland (1991), he pursued a subspecialty in forensic pathology and graduated from England (2004) with a law degree.

He has a number of other academic qualifications and holds membership of various professional bodies in the UK, USA, and Nigeria.

He had worked in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK before returning to Nigeria in November 2004 to take up an appointment as Professor of Forensic Pathology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).

He is a former provost of LASUCOM, Chief Medical Examiner for Lagos State, and former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.

Before his appointment, he was the International Regional Advisor of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) for Sub-Saharan Africa.

He has authored several scientific publications and contributed chapters to textbooks. His research spans anatomic and forensic pathology, and he is currently involved in research in forensic entomology and taphonomy at the University of Nebraska, USA.

“The President expects the new Director-General to bring his immense wealth of experience and qualifications to bear in this role to further drive the NIMR’s objective of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria and developing structures for the dissemination of research findings while providing the enabling environment and facilities for health research and training in cooperation with the federal and state ministries of health,” the statement added.