The Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, marked a major milestone with its inaugural International Conference on “Precision in Practice: Integrating Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Clinical Insights for Patient‑Centered Care.”
The pioneering gathering, which began on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, was held at theat the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine (CMUL), Idi‑Araba. It brought together dignitaries, researchers, and healthcare professionals to explore cutting‑edge advances in precision medicine and their impact on patient care.
The Vice‑Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, FAS, hailed the conference as a strategic step towards positioning the university for innovation and global competitiveness. She explained that the 2025 creation of the faculty united five departments: Anatomic & Molecular Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Pharmacology, Haematology & Blood Transfusion, and Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, to drive discovery, strengthen diagnostics, and translate research into patient care.
Prof. Ogunsola spotlighted flagship projects, such as:
- Centre for Cancer Genomics & Precision Medicine
- Digital Pathology & AI Diagnostics Laboratory
- National Biobank & Tissue Repository.
She noted that the launch of the faculty’s new journal, underscored UNILAG’s push for African research visibility. Addressing Nigeria’s heavy disease burden, she urged government and private sector partnerships to prioritize laboratory medicine, noting: “A doctor’s prescription is only as good as the laboratory result behind it.”
The Provost of CMUL, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, FAMeds, described the day as a “moment of pride” for the faculty and university. He highlighted UNILAG‑CMUL’s six‑decade legacy in medical education and research, and praised the faculty’s role in strengthening capacity for innovation, collaboration, and impact.
He encouraged participants to maximize the research programme, build collaborations, and generate ideas that can transform healthcare in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.
Dean’s Vision & ₦1bn Endowment Fund
Prof. Fatimah B. Abdulkareem, Dean of the Faculty, hailed the conference as the dawn of a new era in biomedical research and healthcare innovation. She unveiled the ₦1 Billion Faculty Endowment Fund to support research, infrastructure, scholarships, and six new initiatives:
- Faculty Research & Innovation Fund
- National Biobank & Tissue Repository
- Digital Pathology & AI Diagnostics Laboratory
- Centre for Cancer Genomics & Precision Medicine
- Sickle Cell & Chronic Disease Research Hub
- Maternal & Child Health Intervention Centre
- Malaria & Neglected Tropical Disease Research Fund
Prof. Abdulkareem described the fund as “an investment in Nigeria’s scientific future, health security, and homegrown solutions.”
Keynote Speech & Journal Launch
Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, Vice‑Chancellor of National University of Science and Technology, Abuja (NUSTA), delivered the keynote address, stressing that precision medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, moving from one‑size‑fits‑all to patient‑specific interventions powered by genomics, biomarkers, imaging, and AI.
The conference also witnessed the launch of the African Journal of Basic and Translational Clinical Sciences (AJBTCS), presented by the UNILAG Vice‑Chancellor. The journal will serve as a peer‑reviewed platform for original research and scholarly exchange, amplifying African voices in global biomedical discourse.
Dignitaries including His Royal Majesty, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola (Oluyalo-Otileta VII, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom), Dr. Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education), Prof. Emmanuel Abayomi (Lagos State Commissioner for Health), and representatives from LUTH and Dr. Olufunke Fasawe (Vice-President, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)) expressed strong support for the initiative.
A Defining Moment
The inaugural International Conference of UNILAG’s Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences signals a defining moment in Nigeria’s healthcare journey, one that blends research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and innovation to deliver patient‑centered care and position Africa at the forefront of precision medicine
Report: Oluwatoyin Ojo-Alo
Photograph: Islamiat Akanni
