Tinubu makes fresh appointment

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), effective Wednesday, July 24. Professor Obafunwa will succeed Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure ends on Tuesday, July 23.

In a statement released by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to Professor Salako for his dedicated service to the nation.

A distinguished expert in Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology, Professor Obafunwa brings extensive experience and qualifications to the role. He has worked in various countries, including the UK, USA, and Nigeria, and has held several leadership positions, such as the former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.

The president expects Professor Obafunwa to advance NIMR’s mission of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria, developing structures for disseminating research findings, and fostering an environment conducive to health research and training.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).

Professor Obafunwa succeeds Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23, 2024. The appointment takes effect from July 24, 2024. President Tinubu extends his gratitude to Professor Salako for his service to the nation.

Professor Obafunwa qualified in medicine from the University of Lagos in 1980 and specialized in Anatomic Pathology in May 1987. He later sub-specialized in Forensic Pathology in Scotland in 1991 and obtained a law degree from England in 2004. He holds numerous other academic qualifications and is a member of various professional bodies in the UK, USA, and Nigeria.

He has worked in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK before returning to Nigeria in November 2004 to serve 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 current appointment, he served as the International Regional Advisor of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor Obafunwa has authored numerous 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 leverage his vast experience and qualifications to further NIMR’s objective of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria, developing structures for the dissemination of research findings, and providing an enabling environment for health research and training in cooperation with federal and state health ministries,” the statement said.