JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints John Obafunwa NIMR DG

JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints John Obafunwa NIMR DG

Professor John Obafunwa has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research by President Bola Tinubu, effective from July 24, 2024.

The announcement was made by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement titled “President Tinubu appoints new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research” in Abuja.

Professor Obafunwa will succeed Professor Babatunde Salako, whose term ends on July 23, 2024.

The statement added, “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.

“The President expects him to develop 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.”

Prof. Obafunwa’s education journey began with a medical degree from the University of Lagos in 1980, followed by specialization in Anatomic Pathology in 1987.

He further pursued Forensic Pathology in Scotland in 1991 and obtained a law degree from England in 2004.

His academic background includes various qualifications and memberships in professional bodies across the UK, USA, and Nigeria.

With an extensive career spanning work experiences in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK, Prof.

Obafunwa returned to Nigeria in 2004, joining the Lagos State University College of Medicine as a Professor of Forensic Pathology.

He has held significant positions such as provost of LASUCOM, Chief Medical Examiner for Lagos State, and Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.

Prior to his new role, he served as the International Regional Advisor of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prof. Obafunwa’s contributions to academia include numerous scientific publications and chapters in textbooks focusing on anatomic and forensic pathology.