Obafunwa takes over from Prof Babatunde Salako, whose term concludes on July 23, 2024.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), effective July 24, 2024.
Obafunwa takes over from Prof Babatunde Salako, whose term concludes on July 23, 2024.
In a statement released by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity on Monday, Tinubu expressed gratitude to Salako, saying, “We extend our deepest thanks to Professor Salako for his dedicated service to our nation.”
“Obafunwa brings a wealth of experience to the role. A 1980 graduate of the University of Lagos in medicine, he specialized in Anatomic Pathology in 1987 and furthered his expertise with a sub-specialisation in Forensic Pathology in Scotland in 1991. He also holds a law degree from England, obtained in 2004.
“His distinguished career includes positions in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK before his return to Nigeria in 2004.
“There, he served as Professor of Forensic Pathology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Provost of LASUCOM, Chief Medical Examiner for Lagos State, and Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.
“Prior to this appointment, he was the International Regional Advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Royal College of Pathologists (UK).
“Professor Obafunwa’s extensive background and expertise are expected to significantly advance NIMR’s mission of leading crucial research into diseases affecting public health in Nigeria,” said President Tinubu.
“His role will be vital in developing structures for research dissemination and providing an enabling environment for health research and training.”
Prof Obafunwa was recognised for his contributions to scientific literature and ongoing research in forensic entomology and taphonomy at the University of Nebraska, USA.
