This appointment follows President Tinubu’s return from Accra, Ghana, where he attended the ECOWAS meeting as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Professor Obafunwa will succeed Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure concludes on July 23, 2024. The new appointment takes effect from July 24, 2024. President Tinubu expressed gratitude to Professor Salako for his dedicated service to the nation.

Professor Obafunwa is a distinguished medical professional with extensive experience. He graduated in medicine from the University of Lagos in 1980 and specialized in Anatomic Pathology in 1987.

He further specialized in Forensic Pathology in Scotland in 1991 and earned a law degree from England in 2004.

Prior to this appointment, Professor Obafunwa served as Professor of Forensic Pathology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Chief Medical Examiner for Lagos State, and former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University. He also served as the International Regional Advisor of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor Obafunwa’s research expertise includes anatomic and forensic pathology, with ongoing research in forensic entomology and taphonomy at the University of Nebraska, USA. He has authored numerous scientific publications and contributed chapters to textbooks.

In a statement by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngalale, it was emphasized that the President expects Professor Obafunwa to leverage his vast experience to advance NIMR’s mission of leading research into public health diseases, disseminating research findings, and fostering a supportive environment for health research and training in collaboration with federal and state health ministries.