The Acting Director of the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (COMUI), Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, reflected on how unprecedented collaboration across the University of Ibadan (UI), the University College Hospital (UCH), the College of Medicine, and the Oyo State Government transformed the COVID-19 pandemic from a global health crisis into a locally grounded and resilient response.
The Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor T. O. Ogundiran, FAS, on behalf of the College’s management team, warmly welcomed Professor J. A. Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director of UCH, and his management team; Professor A. M. Adeoye, Chairman, SPARKLING Committee; deans of faculties; directors of institutes; past provosts; past deputy provosts; heads of departments and units; living legends; teaching and non-teaching staff; members of the press, and students to the Faculty Lecture. The lecture, delivered on behalf of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, took place at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre of the College and was titled “The COVID-19 Pandemic Journey: The Ibadan Perspective.”
The citation of the lecturer was read by the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor T. A. Lawal, who described Dr. Adekanmbi as a scholar whose career exemplifies excellence in research, leadership, and service. According to him, she belongs to several professional medical bodies within and outside Nigeria and has won numerous research grants for the University. Dr. Adekanmbi has over 70 publications in reputable national and international journals, with scholarly interests spanning infectious disease surveillance, epidemiology, health systems strengthening, and pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Adekanmbi was accompanied by her parents, Professor B. Osinusi and Professor (Mrs) Kikelomo Osinusi (retired professors and alumni of the University of Ibadan), her husband, Mr. Adebola Adekanmbi, and her children.
Drawing from Ibadan’s experience, Dr. Adekanmbi highlighted how sustained partnerships among academia, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Oyo State Ministry of Health, and other health partners not only strengthened pandemic control efforts but also demonstrated the enduring power of collective action in safeguarding public health against overwhelming odds.
She recalled the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, and how COVID-19 then spread rapidly across the globe.
According to her, the response of Oyo State was prompt and commendable despite challenges such as manpower shortages and inadequate infrastructure. She noted that COVID-19 was associated with high mortality, with 66.3% of patients presenting with critical conditions, admitted for treatment in Ibadan. However, she observed that “after July 2020, there were more survivors than deaths.”
Dr. Adekanmbi explained that even before 2019, UCH had established a Committee on Response to Emergencies and Outbreaks of Diseases (UCH-CREOD), chaired by Professor K. O. Osungbade. The committee coordinated key pillars of the COVID-19 response, including surveillance, laboratory services, case management, management of the dead, and there was also the UCH COVID-19 Task Force. She added that the establishment of a new isolation center, generously donated by Chief Tunde Afolabi, as well as numerous donations and voluntary services, significantly contributed to the success recorded in combating COVID-19.
She emphasized that prevention remains better and more cost-effective than cure, stressing that trust and effective communication emerged as critical determinants in pandemic response. She also underscored the need to strengthen capacity for vaccine administration through sustained public education on its benefits.
Reflecting personally, Dr. Adekanmbi noted that institutions must prepare more effectively for future pandemics to avoid being caught unawares.
She concluded by offering the following policy recommendations: strengthening pandemic preparedness and response frameworks; sustaining and integrating laboratory and surveillance systems; investing in health systems resilience; promoting local research, innovation, and policy translation; and improving risk communication and community engagement.
The event was brought to a graceful conclusion with a cocktail reception organized in honour of dignitaries and members of the lecturer’s family at the AOK Johnson Board Room of the College.
In recognition of a lucid and insightful lecture, Professor Falusi and Professor Soyonwo jointly presented a plaque of honour to Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, an act that was greeted with warm applause from the audience.
The programme was anchored by Mr. J. A. Ogunlabi, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Faculty of Clinical Sciences.
