On the 12th of February 2024, the Obafemi Awolowo University Health Research Ethics Committee was inaugurated by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Development. This committee represents an expansion of the Institute of Public Health Research Ethics Committee.

Professor Olawunmi Fatusi has been appointed as the chairperson of the Obafemi Awolowo University Health Research Ethics Committee. The committee comprises of five subcommittees, each chaired by distinguished individuals: the Health Research Ethics Sub-Committee led by Professor Olawunmi Fatusi; the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Sub-Committee overseen by Professor Solanke; the Animal Care and Use Research Ethics Sub-Committee managed by Dr. Oyebanji; the Plant Use and Conservation Research Ethics Sub-Committee headed by Professor AMA Sakpere; and the Science and Technology Research Ethics Sub-Committee directed by Professor Adeniran.

The primary responsibility of the Ethics Committee is to grant ethical approval for all research endeavors within the university. They are entrusted with maintaining ethical standards that promote responsible research practices and ensure compliance with ethical principles and legal regulations. Their oversight significantly contributes to the ethical conduct and integrity of scientific research.

The committee’s efforts will be complemented by the Research Committees operating within each department of the university. These departmental committees will review research proposals put forth by faculty and students, assessing their scientific merits. Subsequently, the ethics committees will conduct a thorough review of the research protocols approved for further processing to the ethics committee, to ensure ethical integrity. This collaborative framework underscores the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of ethical research and upholding the highest standards of integrity in scientific inquiry.