President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof. John Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), effective from July 24, following the expiration of Prof. Babatunde Salako’s tenure on July 23. The announcement was made through a statement by the President’s spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, who expressed gratitude to Prof. Salako for his service.
President Tinubu expects Prof. Obafunwa to leverage his extensive experience to advance NIMR’s mission of spearheading research on diseases of public health significance in Nigeria. The President also anticipates that Prof. Obafunwa will develop effective structures for disseminating research findings and provide a conducive environment and facilities for health research and training, in collaboration with federal and state health ministries.
Prof. Obafunwa’s qualifications include a medical degree from the University of Lagos (1980) and specialisation in Anatomic Pathology (1987). He further sub-specialised in Forensic Pathology in Scotland (1991) and obtained a law degree from England (2004). His extensive professional experience includes work in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK before his return to Nigeria in 2004 to become a Professor of Forensic Pathology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). He is also a member of various professional bodies in the UK, USA, and Nigeria.