The 2025 Professor Olumbe Bassir Distinguished Guest Lecture and TBBF 50th Anniversary Celebration
Title: Reimagining Biomedical Education and the Health Development Agenda in Nigeria
The 2025 Professor Olumbe Bassir Distinguished Guest Lecture and the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation (TBBF), titled “Reimagining Biomedical Education and the Health Development Agenda in Nigeria,” were organized by the Members of the Board of Trustees of TBBF. The event took place both virtually and in person on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, and Ibadan.
The Acting Chairman of the Foundation is Professor E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, FAS. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Professor O.O. Kale, FAS. Other members of the Board of Trustees include Professor Sunny O. Ndekwu, Ph.D., Professor Grace O. Gbotosho, FAS, FAAS, Professor Iruka N. Okeke, FAS, and Professor James Olukayode, O.DVM, Ph.D., FCVSN, FAS.
Leading up to the event, a series of television features were aired on NTA various distinguished professionals from the medical field who discussed contemporary health challenges.
The programme served as part of TBBF’s public-awareness mandate. Our lineup includes:
- Dr. Victor Makanjuola – A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), and an Honorary Consultant at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. He will address the topic of Drug Abuse, explaining its implications and consequences.
- Professor Iruka N. Okeke – A Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology and a Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellow at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She will discuss Antimicrobial Resistance, shedding light on the rising threat it poses to public health.
- Professor James O. Olapade is a Professor of Neuroscience and Comparative Anatomy in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan. He will talk about Zoonoses, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
- Professor Jones O. Moody – A Professor of Pharmacognosy and a former Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He will discuss the Unregulated Use and Misuse of Herbal Medicine, highlighting the risks associated with improper use.
The event commenced around 11:10 AM with our esteemed Master of the Ceremony, Professor Taiwo Lawal, the Dean of Clinical Sciences at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. It began with the singing of the University of Ibadan National Anthem, followed by the Nigerian National Anthem.
Following this, we recognized the chairman of the day, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS. Also recognized were the Acting Chairman of the Foundation, Professor E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, FAS, and the members of the Board of Trustees: Professor Sunny OlisaNdekwu, Professor Iruka N. Okeke, Professor Grace O. Gbotosho, and Professor James O. Olopade.
The distinguished guest lecturer for the occasion was Professor Adesegun Fatusi, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Science in Ondo City. Additionally, we had the Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, represented by Professor Solomon Umukoro.
Other notable attendees included the former Director-General of the National Institute of Sport, Professor Olawale Morounkola; former member of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan and elder statesman, Dr. Gani Adeniran; Emeritus Professor Adewale Akinsola; the former Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Professor Gbenga Iwalewa; and the Managing Director of SKG Pharmaceutical Limited, Dr. Okey Akpa, along with SKG staff members. We also had the daughter of the late Olumbe Bassir, Barrister Oyindamola Bassir, present at the occasion.
The welcome address was delivered by Professor E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa FAS, the former 11th Provost of the College of Medicine and the current Head of the Department of Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. He is also a professor of Surgery at the University of Ibadan and an Honorary Consultant Urologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. As the present Acting Chairman of the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation, he sincerely appreciated the presence of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan at the occasion, despite his busy schedule. He recognized and welcomed everyone present at the event on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Oladele O. Kale, who was unable to attend.
In his address, he outlined the mission of the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation (TBBF), which is the first biomedical foundation in Nigeria dedicated to providing small grants to post-graduate students and researchers. The seed grants have proven to be very helpful, with many grantees traveling to countries such as the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada to secure additional funding. This is a testament to the vision of Professor Horatio Orijesejolomi Thomas, the founder of the foundation, who bequeathed his shares in the Wellcome Trust Fund to establish what is now the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation.
Professor Olapade-Olaopa emphasized that if more high-net-worth individuals and those with the means were to establish similar foundations, the landscape of science and the humanities could look very different. He expressed that the foundation is pleased to continue this vision and to support younger researchers with adequate funding to help them advance to the next level.
Additionally, it is now part of TBBF’s mission to raise awareness about the importance of health profession education in general. These goals reflect the vision of the founding fathers of TBBF, which the foundation intends to carry forward. Professor Olumbe Bassir was the second founder of TBBF, and today’s lecture is held in his memory. The foundation alternates each year between honoring Thomas and Bassir due to Professor Bassir’s significant contributions in supporting the establishment of the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation.
In closing, he welcomed everyone again and encouraged participation in the foundation’s activities moving forward, continuing the vision of Thomas and Bassir.
The chairman of the occasion, Professor Kayode Adebowale, the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, is someone who truly values the welfare of the staff. He was introduced to give the Opening Remark and recognized all the distinguished guests present, as well as the principal officers of the University of Ibadan. He acknowledged the distinguished guest lecturer, Professor Fatusi, the Acting Chairman of TBBF, Professor Olapade-Olaopa, members of the Board of Trustees, the Provost of the College of Medicine, the Deans of the Faculties of the College of Medicine, the Heads of Departments, the Directors of Institutes, researchers, clinicians, and the medical students in attendance.
He also recognized the presence of Emeritus Professor Adewale Akinsola and Dr. Gani Adeniran. He welcomed everyone to the prestigious occasion of the 2025 Professor Olumbe Bassir Distinguished Guest Lecture and the TBBF 50th Anniversary.
Professor Adebowale expressed that the University of Ibadan has always been proud to host the TBBF Event, which serves as a testament to a legacy of excellence and a forward-looking vision for Biomedical Sciences in Nigeria. The TBBF, founded in 1974, has a core mission of funding biomedical research and showcasing eminent researchers in Nigeria; a legacy worth upholding. He commended the foundation for its unwavering commitment to continuing this legacy and expressed honor in having Professor Adesegun Fatusi, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, as the guest lecturer.
He described Professor Fatusi as not just an academic, but also a global leader in Public Health, a Director of International Research, and a technical adviser for the United Nations Population Fund, as well as a contributor to the Nigerian National Adolescent Health Technical Working Group.
In his opening remarks, he highlighted three key points to help illuminate the lecture we are about to hear. First, he emphasized the integration of advanced science with community health, noting that we are living in an era of genomic revolution that has transformed our approach to healthcare. Second, he discussed the importance of strategic partnerships, explaining that many challenges we face—such as diseases, threats, and aging infrastructure—are too complex for any single institution to tackle alone. Therefore, we must forge stronger collaborations between universities, government agencies, and traditional institutions that are vital pillars of support. Finally, he stressed the importance of nurturing our future leaders.
Additionally, he mentioned that we have gathered in a foundation dedicated to capacity building and advised all students present at the event that the future of biomedical science in Nigeria rests upon their shoulders. He urged them to embrace the foundation’s core values by thinking critically and creatively, and to emerge as philosophers, thinkers, and solution providers for our society.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that the task of reimagining our approach is not a passive endeavor; it is a demand that requires us to critically examine our current models, address funding gaps, and empower our researchers with the necessary tools and autonomy. He emphasized that this conversation is both urgent and necessary.
Finally, he thanked the TBBF Board of Trustees for their enduring partnership with the University of Ibadan, expressing that their commitment ensures the flame of scientific excellence continues to burn brightly. He also thanked all the guests for their presence and encouraged everyone to listen, learn, and engage actively in discussions during the lecture. He wished everyone an engaging discussion.
The event was followed by a brief history of the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation, presented by Professor Iruka N. Okeke FAS, a member of the Board of Trustees. The Foundation was established in 1974 by Professor Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas. His experience as a medical research scientist led him to recognize that local funding could have two significant impacts: (1) it would contribute solutions to health problems specific to tropical regions, and (2) it would help build and sustain health research capacity in Nigeria.
The first annual lecture, titled “The Oritsejolomi Thomas Fellowship Award,” took place in 1992 at the University College Hospital. To date, the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation has hosted approximately 41 distinguished guest lectures and has provided 47 years of funding for health research.
After a brief history of the TBBF was presented, several distinguished guests were acknowledged, including:
– Professor Taiwo Kotila, Dean of Basic Clinical Sciences
– Professor Obafunke Denloye, former Deputy Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
– Dr. Aderonke Ajavi Director of University of Ibadan Health Services (UHS) (JAJA)
– Professor John Ademowo, former Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
– Dr. Olayinka Kotila, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
– Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun, former Provost of the College of Medicine and former President of the West African Surgeons
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, four past grantees, amongst others, of the TBBF shared short speeches at the event. They highlighted the impact of the TBBF Grant and its significance in their research or work.
- The first speaker was Professor I.A. Adedara from the Department of Biochemistry, who received a TBBF award grant in 2017 for his research on “The Influence of Diphenyl Disulfide on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxicity along the Brain-Pituitary-Testicular Axis in Rats,” for which he received ₦250,000.
- The second speaker was Dr. Oluwatoyin Salami, also from the Department of Biochemistry. She benefited from the TBBF Grant in 2022 for her research on “Acute Toxicity Study of Chlorogenic Acid in Mice,” receiving ₦575,000.
- The third speaker was Dr. Irebami Amusan from the Department of Microbiology. He was awarded the TBBF Grant in 2022 for his research on “Molecular Surveillance of Artemisinin Resistance Markers and Impact on Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Southwest Nigeria,” receiving ₦500,000.
- Finally, Dr. Bose Orimadegun from the Department of Chemical Pathology spoke. She received a TBBF Grant in 2015 for her research on “Markers of Lipid and Protein Peroxidation among Nigerian University Students with Dysmenorrhea,” receiving ₦265,000.
The Distinguished Guest Lecturer, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, FAS, was introduced by Professor James Olopade, FAS, a member of the Board of Trustees. Following his introduction, Professor Fatusi delivered a lecture titled “Reimagining Biomedical Education and Health Development Agenda in Nigeria.”
In his lecture, he addressed the topic under three main subheadings:
- Framing the Discourse: Identifying Roles and Clarifying the Agenda
- Biomedical Education in Nigeria: Realities and Emerging Issues
- Biomedical Education and Health Development Agenda: Strengthening the Link
He stated that one key lesson that COVID-19 taught us is that the health profession, no matter how esteemed it may seem, is practically ineffective if advances are not made in core sciences, particularly biomedical sciences. In a Nigerian context, Professor Fatusi emphasized that it is unfortunate that universities have focused heavily on admitting students for degrees in pure science programs. He argued that we cannot progress if we do not place greater emphasis on other core sciences.
He also outlined a vision that we must pursue if we are serious about transforming biomedical education. We need to create a system that fosters a close relationship between core and applied sciences. Professor Fatusi firmly believes that “core biomedical education and health profession education (applied biomedical education) should be pursued together for optimal impact.”
In the second subtopic, “Biomedical Education in Nigeria: Realities and Emerging Issues,” he identified two major concerns:
- The declining interest in core biomedical sciences is driven by the increasing demand for health professions. This has resulted in an uneven distribution of human resources in health development.
- The high level of migration and brain drain among healthcare professionals.
Lastly, in the third subtopic, “Biomedical Education and Health Development Agenda: Strengthening the Link,” he stated that there should be a clear connection between national human resources development in Nigeria. He noted that while there was a strong link in the past, the present shows little to no connection.
In summary, the guest lecturer emphasized that we should not only discuss the government but also strive to be the brains behind it. We need to step back and analyze the needs of our nation and find ways to connect the biomedical courses we offer with those needs. When there is a demand, our students and graduates will find opportunities and will not be jobless because they will see the nation’s potential within themselves.
He further stated that for individuals to embark on a journey as educators, they must first assess their needs and reposition their programs to address those needs. One interesting initiative he undertook at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) was establishing the first fully-fledged School of Public Health.
In his lecture, he reflected on the future, suggesting that we should learn from previous models, analyzing where they have failed and how we can improve. He also highlighted the importance of integrating core sciences into health professional education.
At the conclusion of his lecture, he congratulated the Thomas-Bassir Biomedical Foundation on its 50th anniversary and expressed his hope that the next 50 years of our nation will surpass the past—marked not only by peace and prosperity but also by scientific advancement. He ended with an inspiring quote: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” It was an amazing and insightful lecture.
Recognition was given to several distinguished individuals at the event. The recipients included the 13th Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran; the former Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Chinedum Babalola, FAS; the Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Agboola Oladosun; the Acting Head of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr. Olayinka Koltila; Professor Kayode Osungbade; the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, Professor Adesola; Professor Olakunle Olakunbi; and the Director of the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IMRAT), Professor Ikeoluwa Ajayi. The Secretary to the College of Medicine, Mr. Emmanuel Oladele, was also recognized.
The award for excellence was presented to the distinguished guest lecturer, Professor Fatusi, by Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, who represented the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale.
An award of appreciation was presented to SKG Pharmaceutical Limited by Professor Sunny O. Ndekwu, a member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Okey Akpa, the Managing Director of SKG Pharma Ltd., received the award on behalf of the SKG Board of Directors.
Additionally, members of the Board of Trustees presented an award of appreciation to the University of Ibadan. The award was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran.
Following the presentations, a group photograph was taken with the members of the Board of Trustees and the three awardees.
After the event, there were about 15 poster presentations made by past TBBF grantees, allowing students to ask questions and engage with the presenters.
A closing remark was delivered by Professor Grace O. Gbotosho, FAS, a Member of the Board of Trustees of TBBF and the Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. She expressed her gratitude to everyone present at the event, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of TBBF and the 2025 Distinguished Annual Lecture.
The event was impactful, memorable, and insightful, marking a significant milestone for TBBF. In total, approximately 230 guests attended in person, while an additional 47 participants joined virtually.