Our History and Academic Evolution
The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is one of the four constituent faculties of the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It was established in 1993 following the collegiate restructuring of the former Faculty of Health Sciences, as part of the University’s commitment to strengthening specialization and excellence in medical and health sciences education.
At inception and up to 2010, the faculty comprised eight academic departments: Anatomy and Cell Biology; Chemical Pathology; Haematology and Immunology; Medical Microbiology and Parasitology; Medical Rehabilitation; Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine; Nursing Science; and Physiological Sciences.
In furtherance of academic expansion and specialization, the University Council, at its 220th meeting, approved the establishment of the Departments of Medical Biochemistry and Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. This development increased the number of departments in the faculty to ten. Subsequently, University Council at its meeting of 7 September 2021, approved the creation of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics within the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, following its transfer from the Department of Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences in the Faculty of Agriculture. This brought the total number of departments in the faculty to eleven.
In 2024, as part of a strategic realignment of academic disciplines within the College of Health Sciences, the University Council, at its meeting held between 19 and 22 August 2024, approved the establishment of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences. Consequently, five departments—Chemical Pathology; Haematology and Immunology; Medical Microbiology and Parasitology; Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics; and Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine—were transferred from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to constitute the new Faculty.
Following this restructuring, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences presently consists of six academic departments: Anatomy and Cell Biology; Medical Biochemistry; Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Medical Rehabilitation; Nursing Science; and Physiological Sciences. Furthermore, on 26 November 2025, the University Senate approved the upgrading of the Department of Nursing Science to a full-fledged Faculty of Nursing. This approval is currently awaiting final ratification by the University Council.
Our Mandate
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In alignment with the vision of the College of Health Sciences to emerge as a globally acclaimed centre of excellence in health professions education, research, and service delivery, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is committed to providing high-quality, competency-based education and advancing research that addresses national and global health priorities.
The faculty serves as the foundational academic pillar for the training of health professionals within the College of Health Sciences, including Medical Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Nutritionists. It delivers core basic medical sciences courses—such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Biochemistry—to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB.ChB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.ChD) programmes, in accordance with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards.
In addition, the Faculty offers professionally oriented undergraduate degree programmes in Nursing Science; Medical Rehabilitation, with options in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy; and Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Over the past six years, the faculty has produced more than five hundred graduates in Nursing Science, over five hundred Physiotherapists, and fifty Occupational Therapists, thereby making a significant contribution to the healthcare workforce in Nigeria and beyond.
At the postgraduate level, the faculty runs programmes leading to the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees across its departments. Through these programmes, the Faculty continues to strengthen national capacity in teaching, research, innovation, and evidence-based professional practice.
Beyond academic instruction, the faculty is intentional in nurturing graduates equipped for leadership and service in public institutions, private enterprise, academia, and non-governmental organisations. Students are exposed to interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare delivery, ethical and professional standards, and an appreciation of global health dynamics, thereby developing the competence, integrity, and vision required for effective leadership in a rapidly evolving health sector
Our Philosophy
The philosophy of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is rooted in, and consistent with, the philosophy of Obafemi Awolowo University, which is anchored on the advancement of learning and culture for the benefit of society. Guided by this principle, the Faculty is committed to the holistic training of healthcare professionals who are intellectually sound, ethically grounded, and socially responsive.
Accordingly, the Faculty seeks to produce innovative, compassionate, and competent graduates equipped to prevent and treat disease, restore and optimize function, promote health, and advance human well-being. Our training emphasizes professionalism, empathy, integrity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, thereby preparing graduates to serve humanity with excellence and responsibility in diverse healthcare and societal contexts.
Academic Portfolio and Accreditation Status
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The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences currently offers three undergraduate professional degree programmes, all structured as five-year programmes. These are the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation, with options in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy; the Bachelor of Nursing Science, offered in both full-time and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes; and the Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition to these professional programmes, the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Biochemistry, and Physiological Sciences provide foundational teaching support for the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB.ChB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.ChD) programmes of the University.
At the postgraduate level, the Faculty runs academic and research programmes leading to the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees across its departments, thereby promoting advanced scholarship, research capacity development, and innovation in the basic medical sciences.
The undergraduate programmes of the Faculty are subject to periodic accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The Bachelor of Nursing Science programme holds a five-year full accreditation status for the period 2025–2028, following the NUC accreditation exercise conducted between 15 and 17 December 2024. Similarly, the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation programme enjoys a five-year full accreditation status from 2023 to 2028, following the NUC accreditation visit of 1 December 2023. The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics programme is currently awaiting the official outcome of its first NUC accreditation visit, which took place on 26 and 27 November 2025.
In line with national curriculum reforms and the National Universities Commission Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), the University Senate, at its meeting of 26 November 2025, approved CCMAS-compliant curricula for the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) and the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programmes. The faculty is presently undertaking the requisite preparations towards NUC resource verification for the commencement of these programmes.
Physical Facilities of the faculty
The faculty office and the Department Medical Rehabilitation are located in Block Z of the College of Health Sciences building complex, Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Physiological Sciences, Medical Biochemistry and Human Nutrition and Dietetics are located in Block X while department of nursing science now occupies the new purposely built Nursing Science building. Block X has multidisciplinary laboratories that serve the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Physiological Sciences.
Leadership Records
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Since its establishment in 1993, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences has been guided by a succession of Deans and Vice-Deans whose leadership has provided academic stability, institutional continuity, and progressive development. Through their stewardship, the Faculty has recorded sustained growth in academic programmes, successful accreditation outcomes, and notable advances in teaching, research, and community service.The individuals listed below have served the Faculty with distinction at various periods, contributing significantly to its development, expansion, and repositioning in line with national and global standards in basic medical sciences education.
Deans of the Faculty
- Professor V.C.B. Nwuga Medical Rehabilitation                                  1993 – 1997
- Professor E. A. Caxton-Martins Anatomy and Cell Biology                            1997 – 1999
- Professor M.K. Junadu Nursing Science                                                1999 – 2001
- Professor M.A. Durosinmi Hematology and Immunology                    2001 – 2005
- Professor M.O.B. Olaogun Medical Rehabilitation                                  2005 – 2007
- Professor J.B. Fakunle Chemical Pathology                                        2007 – 2009
- Professor K.A. Adelusola Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2009 – 2013
- Professor N.O. Akinola Hematology and Immunology                    2013 – 2015
- Professor B.R. Fajemilehin Nursing Science                                                2015 – 2017
- Professor R.A. Adedoyin Medical Rehabilitation                                  2017 – 2021
- Professor L. Salawu Hematology and Immunology                    2021 – 2023
- Professor G.O. Omoniyi-Esan Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2023 – 2025
- Professor D.O. Adeyemi Anatomy and Cell Biology                            2025 – Date
Vice-Deans of the Faculty
- E.A. Caxton Martins Anatomy and Cell Biology                            1993 – 1995
- M.A. Durosinmi Hematology and Immunology                    1995 – 1996
- J.B. Fakunle Chemical Pathology                                        1996 – 1998
- O.S. Ojo Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    1998 – 1999
- P.U. Nwoha Anatomy and Cell Biology                            1999 – 2000
- M.O.B. Olaogun Medical Rehabilitation                                  2000 – 2002
- O.S. Ojo Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2002 – 2003
- B.I. Kukoyi Physiological Sciences                                    2003 – 2004
- B.R. Fajemilehin Nursing Science                                                2004 – 2006
- R.A. Togun Hematology and Immunology                    2006 – 2007
- N.O. Akinola Hematology and Immunology                    2007 – 2009
- R.A. Adedoyin Medical Rehabilitation                                  2009 – 2011
- A.O. Ayoka Physiological Sciences                                    2011 – 2013
- R.O. Akomolafe Physiological Sciences                                    2013 – 2015
- G.O. Omoniyi-Esan Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2015 – 2017
- O.E. Ajayi Medical Pharmacology & Therapeutics   2017 – 2019
- D.O. Adeyemi Anatomy and Cell Biology                            2019 – 2021
- T.O. Awotidebe Medical Rehabilitation                                  2021 – 2022
- S.O.A. Odukoya Anatomy and Cell Biology                            2022 – 2024
- O.O. Oyediran Nursing Science                                                2024 – Date
Academic Honours
Over the years, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences has been associated with distinguished members of the academic staff and outstanding students whose achievements have brought recognition to the faculty. To date, three members of the faculty have been conferred the title of Emeritus Professor by Obafemi Awolowo University. The faculty has also produced graduates who completed their programmes with Distinction (First Class honours), reflecting consistently high academic performance.
Emeritus Professors
- Emeritus Professor T.A.I. Grillo – Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Emeritus Professor V.C.B. Nwuga – Department of Medical Rehabilitation
Emeritus Professor W.O. Odesanmi – Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine
The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is one of the four constituent faculties of the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It was established in 1993 following the collegiate restructuring of the former Faculty of Health Sciences, as part of the University’s commitment to strengthening specialization and excellence in medical and health sciences education.
At inception and up to 2010, the faculty comprised eight academic departments: Anatomy and Cell Biology; Chemical Pathology; Haematology and Immunology; Medical Microbiology and Parasitology; Medical Rehabilitation; Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine; Nursing Science; and Physiological Sciences.
In furtherance of academic expansion and specialization, the University Council, at its 220th meeting, approved the establishment of the Departments of Medical Biochemistry and Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. This development increased the number of departments in the faculty to ten. Subsequently, University Council at its meeting of 7 September 2021, approved the creation of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics within the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, following its transfer from the Department of Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences in the Faculty of Agriculture. This brought the total number of departments in the faculty to eleven.
In 2024, as part of a strategic realignment of academic disciplines within the College of Health Sciences, the University Council, at its meeting held between 19 and 22 August 2024, approved the establishment of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences. Consequently, five departments—Chemical Pathology; Haematology and Immunology; Medical Microbiology and Parasitology; Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics; and Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine—were transferred from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to constitute the new Faculty.
Following this restructuring, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences presently consists of six academic departments: Anatomy and Cell Biology; Medical Biochemistry; Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Medical Rehabilitation; Nursing Science; and Physiological Sciences. Furthermore, on 26 November 2025, the University Senate approved the upgrading of the Department of Nursing Science to a full-fledged Faculty of Nursing. This approval is currently awaiting final ratification by the University Council.
Our Mandate
In alignment with the vision of the College of Health Sciences to emerge as a globally acclaimed centre of excellence in health professions education, research, and service delivery, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is committed to providing high-quality, competency-based education and advancing research that addresses national and global health priorities.
The faculty serves as the foundational academic pillar for the training of health professionals within the College of Health Sciences, including Medical Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Nutritionists. It delivers core basic medical sciences courses—such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Biochemistry—to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB.ChB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.ChD) programmes, in accordance with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards.
In addition, the Faculty offers professionally oriented undergraduate degree programmes in Nursing Science; Medical Rehabilitation, with options in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy; and Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Over the past six years, the faculty has produced more than five hundred graduates in Nursing Science, over five hundred Physiotherapists, and fifty Occupational Therapists, thereby making a significant contribution to the healthcare workforce in Nigeria and beyond.
At the postgraduate level, the faculty runs programmes leading to the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees across its departments. Through these programmes, the Faculty continues to strengthen national capacity in teaching, research, innovation, and evidence-based professional practice.
Beyond academic instruction, the faculty is intentional in nurturing graduates equipped for leadership and service in public institutions, private enterprise, academia, and non-governmental organisations. Students are exposed to interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare delivery, ethical and professional standards, and an appreciation of global health dynamics, thereby developing the competence, integrity, and vision required for effective leadership in a rapidly evolving health sector
Our Philosophy
The philosophy of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is rooted in, and consistent with, the philosophy of Obafemi Awolowo University, which is anchored on the advancement of learning and culture for the benefit of society. Guided by this principle, the Faculty is committed to the holistic training of healthcare professionals who are intellectually sound, ethically grounded, and socially responsive.
Accordingly, the Faculty seeks to produce innovative, compassionate, and competent graduates equipped to prevent and treat disease, restore and optimize function, promote health, and advance human well-being. Our training emphasizes professionalism, empathy, integrity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, thereby preparing graduates to serve humanity with excellence and responsibility in diverse healthcare and societal contexts.
Academic Portfolio and Accreditation Status
The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences currently offers three undergraduate professional degree programmes, all structured as five-year programmes. These are the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation, with options in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy; the Bachelor of Nursing Science, offered in both full-time and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes; and the Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition to these professional programmes, the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Biochemistry, and Physiological Sciences provide foundational teaching support for the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB.ChB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.ChD) programmes of the University.
At the postgraduate level, the Faculty runs academic and research programmes leading to the award of Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees across its departments, thereby promoting advanced scholarship, research capacity development, and innovation in the basic medical sciences.
The undergraduate programmes of the Faculty are subject to periodic accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The Bachelor of Nursing Science programme holds a five-year full accreditation status for the period 2025–2028, following the NUC accreditation exercise conducted between 15 and 17 December 2024. Similarly, the Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation programme enjoys a five-year full accreditation status from 2023 to 2028, following the NUC accreditation visit of 1 December 2023. The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics programme is currently awaiting the official outcome of its first NUC accreditation visit, which took place on 26 and 27 November 2025.
In line with national curriculum reforms and the National Universities Commission Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), the University Senate, at its meeting of 26 November 2025, approved CCMAS-compliant curricula for the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) and the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programmes. The faculty is presently undertaking the requisite preparations towards NUC resource verification for the commencement of these programmes.
Physical Facilities of the faculty
The faculty office and the Department Medical Rehabilitation are located in Block Z of the College of Health Sciences building complex, Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Physiological Sciences, Medical Biochemistry and Human Nutrition and Dietetics are located in Block X while department of nursing science now occupies the new purposely built Nursing Science building. Block X has multidisciplinary laboratories that serve the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Physiological Sciences.
Leadership Records
Since its establishment in 1993, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences has been guided by a succession of Deans and Vice-Deans whose leadership has provided academic stability, institutional continuity, and progressive development. Through their stewardship, the Faculty has recorded sustained growth in academic programmes, successful accreditation outcomes, and notable advances in teaching, research, and community service.The individuals listed below have served the Faculty with distinction at various periods, contributing significantly to its development, expansion, and repositioning in line with national and global standards in basic medical sciences education.
Deans of the Faculty
- Professor V.C.B. Nwuga Medical Rehabilitation                                  1993 – 1997
- Professor E. A. Caxton-Martins Anatomy and Cell Biology                            1997 – 1999
- Professor M.K. Junadu Nursing Science                                                1999 – 2001
- Professor M.A. Durosinmi Hematology and Immunology                    2001 – 2005
- Professor M.O.B. Olaogun Medical Rehabilitation                                  2005 – 2007
- Professor J.B. Fakunle Chemical Pathology                                        2007 – 2009
- Professor K.A. Adelusola Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2009 – 2013
- Professor N.O. Akinola Hematology and Immunology                    2013 – 2015
- Professor B.R. Fajemilehin Nursing Science                                                2015 – 2017
- Professor R.A. Adedoyin Medical Rehabilitation                                  2017 – 2021
- Professor L. Salawu Hematology and Immunology                    2021 – 2023
- Professor G.O. Omoniyi-Esan Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2023 – 2025
- Professor D.O. Adeyemi Anatomy and Cell Biology                            2025 – Date
Vice-Deans of the Faculty
- E.A. Caxton Martins Anatomy and Cell Biology                            1993 – 1995
- M.A. Durosinmi Hematology and Immunology                    1995 – 1996
- J.B. Fakunle Chemical Pathology                                        1996 – 1998
- O.S. Ojo Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    1998 – 1999
- P.U. Nwoha Anatomy and Cell Biology                            1999 – 2000
- M.O.B. Olaogun Medical Rehabilitation                                  2000 – 2002
- O.S. Ojo Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2002 – 2003
- B.I. Kukoyi Physiological Sciences                                    2003 – 2004
- B.R. Fajemilehin Nursing Science                                                2004 – 2006
- R.A. Togun Hematology and Immunology                    2006 – 2007
- N.O. Akinola Hematology and Immunology                    2007 – 2009
- R.A. Adedoyin Medical Rehabilitation                                  2009 – 2011
- A.O. Ayoka Physiological Sciences                                    2011 – 2013
- R.O. Akomolafe Physiological Sciences                                    2013 – 2015
- G.O. Omoniyi-Esan Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine    2015 – 2017
- O.E. Ajayi Medical Pharmacology & Therapeutics   2017 – 2019
- D.O. Adeyemi Anatomy and Cell Biology                            2019 – 2021
- T.O. Awotidebe Medical Rehabilitation                                  2021 – 2022
- S.O.A. Odukoya Anatomy and Cell Biology                            2022 – 2024
- O.O. Oyediran Nursing Science                                                2024 – Date
Academic Honours
Over the years, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences has been associated with distinguished members of the academic staff and outstanding students whose achievements have brought recognition to the faculty. To date, three members of the faculty have been conferred the title of Emeritus Professor by Obafemi Awolowo University. The faculty has also produced graduates who completed their programmes with Distinction (First Class honours), reflecting consistently high academic performance.
Emeritus Professors
- Emeritus Professor T.A.I. Grillo – Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Emeritus Professor V.C.B. Nwuga – Department of Medical Rehabilitation
- Emeritus Professor W.O. Odesanmi – Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine
