UNIMED honours Odugbemi with
Life Achievements Award


Maduako Igbokwe

University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City, ONDO STATE has honoured the former Vice Chancellor of Lagos with a "Life Achievements Award”

The Award is given in recognition of his outstanding contributions to nature's sustainability and tremendously supporting growth of University of Medical Sciences( UNIMED),Ondo City.

The award was award ceremony was held on 31st August, 2023.

Tolu Olukayode Odugbemi NNOM, OON is a Nigerian professor of Medical Microbiology, educational administrator and former vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.He was the 9th vice chancellor of the University of Lagos.

Professor Tolu Odugbemi was born at Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria on 30th January 1945 but he hails from Oke-Igbo, Ondo State, Nigeria. After a primary education at Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti and the St. Stephen’s Anglican School, Ikare-Akoko, later secondary education at Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti between 1958 and 1964, Prof Odugbemi enrolled in the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos to read Medicine. He emerged with a BSc (Honours) degree in 1970 and the MB, BS Degree in 1972. He obtained Fellowships of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) in 1976, the National Postgraduate Medical College (FMCPath) and the Royal College of Pathologists, UK (FRCPath). He is a Foundation Fellow, (FNAMed) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine since May 17, 2019. He obtained a Diploma in Bacteriology from the University of Toronto, Canada (1976) as well as Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) University of Sheffield (1978) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1982 from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Prof Odugbemi was a Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin 1983-1985, and College of Medicine, University of Lagos combining these as consultant Microbiologist in the associated teaching hospitals for several years. Honorary Lecturer, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Sheffield, UK, 1976-1978, Guest Researcher, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Research Laboratory, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1981-1982. Provost, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) and member, Governing Council, University of Lagos, January 1997- December, 2000, College Treasurer and Council Member of the West African College of Physicians,1989-1992. Chairman, Research Committee of the West African Health Community, 1989-1992. President/Chairman of Governing Board of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (2002-2003) and Member, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, 2002-2003. Member of the Council of University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Ondo City, ONDO STATE,2015 to date.

Prof Odugbemi was an Editor and Editorial consultant to several medical journals and member of several professional bodies. He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science, FAS. Prof Odugbemi was awarded the highest honour of a Distinguished Fellow of the Medical College of Nigeria (DFMC) by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria for his outstanding contributions to the medical profession. The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, his alma mater, also in recognition of his positive contributions to the upliftment of education, conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc) degree on 21st July, 2011. On 23rd January, 2017, University of Lagos under its Legacy projects honoured him by renaming University of Lagos Staff School Hall, TOLULOPE ODUGBEMI HALL. Prof Odugbemi most recent publications are two books titled “Outline and Picture of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria” and “A textbook of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria” which provide in-depth information about medicinal plants and their usefulness in Nigeria. Prof Odugbemi was honoured with the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) for his outstanding and distinguished academic scholarship and Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) on 6th December, 2007 and 14th February, 2008 respectively by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Prof Odugbemi is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) (30th April 2007 - 30th January 2010) and former Vice-Chancellor, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa, Nigeria (27th September 2010 - 26th September 2015). Prof Odugbemi, a recipient of many awards and traditional chieftaincy titles. Prof Odugbemi is happily married to Chief (Mrs) Titi Odugbemi and they are blessed with children and grandchildren. He is currently Baba Ijo of St Luke’s Anglican Church, Okeigbo effective December, 2016.