President Bola Tinubu appoints former LASU Vice-Chancellor John Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), effective July 24. Obafunwa succeeds Babatunde Salako and brings extensive experience in forensic pathology and academic leadership to his new role.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed John Oladapo Obafunwa, former vice-chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), as the new director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), effective July 24. Obafunwa succeeds Babatunde Salako, whose tenure ends on July 23, according to presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale.
Obafunwa's extensive medical and academic career began at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he studied medicine from 1975 to 1980. He completed his residency in morbid anatomy and anatomic pathology at UNILAG’s College of Medicine, earning a Fellowship of the National College in Pathology (FMCPath).
Internationally, Obafunwa served as the state pathologist for the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. He joined LASU’s College of Medicine in 2004 as a professor of forensic pathology and was appointed provost in 2006. He became vice-chancellor of LASU in 2011, serving until 2015.
His roles extend beyond Nigeria, including serving as the international regional advisor for Africa for the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) and memberships in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the British Association of Forensic Pathologists. He also holds an LLB (Hons.) degree from Northumbria University, UK.
Tinubu praised Salako's service and expressed confidence in Obafunwa’s ability to lead NIMR, leveraging his vast experience to advance medical research in Nigeria.
