Investiture of paediatrician and academic leader set for March 6 in Lagos
By Bunmi Yekini
The National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria has announced the investiture of Professor Anthony Nnaemeka Ikefuna as its 24th president, following his election at the institution’s 137th Governing Board Meeting in December.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the College’s premises on March 6, 2026, at 11 a.m., according to a statement signed by College Registrar Professor Temitope Esan.
Ikefuna, a paediatrician and academic, was elected on Dec. 5, 2025. He succeeds the outgoing leadership at a time when Nigeria’s health sector continues to grapple with workforce development and specialist training demands.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, Ikefuna completed his medical education on a Federal Government scholarship before specialising in paediatrics at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. He later rose to become Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2011.
Within the College, Ikefuna has held several senior roles, including Vice President, Chairman and Secretary of the Faculty of Paediatrics, Senate Member and Chief Examiner. He also chaired the Quality Assurance Committee, the Disciplinary Committee and the Senate Committee on Credentials and Fellowship Award.
The College said he played a key role in coordinating examinations, accreditation visits and mentoring trainee specialists through its Fellowship programmes.
Beyond administrative duties, Ikefuna has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and contributed chapters to medical textbooks used by students and resident doctors. He has supervised over 70 Fellowship dissertations and numerous postgraduate theses, with many of his mentees advancing to senior academic and professional positions.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and holds fellowships of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Medicine.
College management and staff congratulated Ikefuna on his election and expressed confidence in his leadership as the institution continues its mandate to train medical specialists and strengthen professional standards in Nigeria.