The Academy of Medical Sciences, Nigeria, says its forthcoming convocation will promote medical research, strengthen scientific innovation and improve healthcare delivery through evidence-based policies and clinical practice.
Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, the Academy’s Foundation President, said this at a pre-convocation media briefing on Thursday in Lagos, noting that the activities would advance medical knowledge and strengthen professional leadership.
He said the convocation would feature a scientific conference, a memorial lecture, the investiture of a new president, induction of 13 researchers and presentation of the Academy’s Gold Medal Award.
“These events underscore our Academy’s unwavering commitment to advancing medical science, celebrating excellence, and strengthening leadership in the health sector for national development,” Ashiru said.
The annual scientific conference, scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Marriott Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, will focus on “The Genetics and Genomics of Non-Communicable Diseases: Integrating Science into Clinical Care.”
Ashiru said the conference would feature eight distinguished speakers who would examine how advances in genetics and genomics could be translated into clinical practice to improve diagnosis and treatment.
The keynote lecture, titled “The Joy of the Human Genome: Discovery to Clinical Care,” will be delivered by Prof. Azeez Butali, a craniofacial genetics expert at the University of Iowa, U.S.
The event will also feature the second Augustine Ohwovoriole Memorial Lecture, to be delivered by Prof. Sunday Chinenye, an endocrinologist at the University of Port Harcourt, in honour of the Academy’s late founding Board of Trustees member.
Ashiru announced that Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, a professor of chemical pathology and former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, would be inaugurated as president for a four-year term.
He said the new leadership would be expected to advance research and innovation, strengthen medical education and provide scientific evidence to guide government health policies.
The convocation will also witness the induction of 13 researchers whose expertise covers cardiology, nephrology, dentistry, clinical pharmacology, paediatrics, neuroscience, ophthalmology and other medical disciplines.
Ashiru said the induction recognised outstanding scholarly achievements and reinforced the responsibility of medical experts to apply their knowledge to national development.
The Academy named Prof. Okechukwu Samuel Ogah, a cardiologist at the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, as the recipient of its 2026 Gold Medal Award, its highest honour
Ogah, a former president of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, will receive a medal and N10 million for his contributions to cardiovascular research, medical education and clinical practice.
The Academy’s President, Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie, said the institution had supported oral-health research through grants, promoted student research and participated in developing a national framework for point-of-care testing.
He said the Academy also issued public health advisories on Ebola, Lassa fever and diphtheria in 2026, while collaborating with government ministries and health agencies on disease prevention and health-system improvement.
“Election to the Academy is a recognition of outstanding professional accomplishment, scholarly excellence and demonstrated commitment to advancing health and medicine,” Giwa-Osagie said.
Following the identification of an Ebola disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Giwa-Osagie urged nationwide high-alert measures.
He advised Nigerians to maintain hand hygiene, watch for symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, and contact public health authorities before visiting health facilities if exposed or symptomatic.
He added that the Academy would continue providing “objective, evidence-based and impartial advice” on medical care, public health, medical education and research.
The Academy reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships with government, professional bodies, research institutions and development organisations to strengthen medical education, support impactful research and improve health outcomes across Nigeria.
