President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of John Obafunwa as the new Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).
In a statement released by the president’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday, July 22. 2024, Obafunwa will succeed Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23.
According to Ngelale, the appointment of Obafunwa will take effect from Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
“President Tinubu extends his gratitude to Professor Salako for his service to the nation,” Ngelale said.
He also stated that President Tinubu expects the new DG to bring his immense wealth of experience and qualifications to bear in this role and further drive the NIMR’s objective of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria.
The president also expects the newly appointed NIMR 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.
Obafunwa qualified in medicine from the University of Lagos in 1980, following which he specialised in Anatomic Pathology (morphological study of diseases), graduating in May 1987.
He later sub-specialised in Forensic Pathology in Scotland (1991) and obtained a law degree from England (2004).
He has several other academic qualifications and holds membership in various professional bodies in the UK, USA, and Nigeria.
He had worked in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the UK before returning to Nigeria in November 2004 to take up an appointment as Professor of Forensic Pathology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine.
