President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).

According to a statement by Presidential media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, Professor Obafunwa succeeds Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23, 2024. The appointment takes effect from July 24, 2024.

The President expects the new Director-General to bring his immense wealth of experience and qualifications to bear in this role to further drive the NIMR’s objective of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria and developing structures for the dissemination of research findings while providing the enabling environment and facilities for health research and training in cooperation with the federal and state ministries of health.