Prof. Oladapo John Obafunwa, the director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), has been conferred with the title of ‘Balogun of Ilara Kingdom’ in recognition of his outstanding contributions to medicine, public health, and research in Nigeria.
The honour, bestowed by the Alara of Ilara, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo (Telade IV), came during the monarch’s 5th coronation anniversary celebrations in the Epe Division of Lagos state..
Obafunwa, a renowned pathologist and academic leader, has spent decades at the intersection of healthcare and education, shaping medical research in Nigeria and abroad. His career includes serving as provost of the Lagos University College of Medicine, vice-chancellor of Lagos State University, and currently leading NIMR, the country’s foremost public health research institute.