By Bunmi Yekini
The College of Medicine at the University of Lagos (CMUL) will host its first-ever Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences (FBCS) conference in June, aiming to reposition laboratory science as the engine of improved patient care and healthcare outcomes in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking at a press briefing, Provost Professor Ademola Ayodele Oremosu described the conference as a “strategic revolution” designed to bridge the long-standing gap between scientific discovery and clinical application.
The three-day event, scheduled for June 23–25 at CMUL, carries the theme “Precision in Practice: Integrating Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Clinical Insights for Patient-Centred Care.” It will bring together academics, clinicians, policymakers and industry leaders to align research with real-world healthcare delivery.
Oremosu said the initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to reform its health sector and improve key indicators such as mortality rates.
“Basic clinical sciences sit at the interface between what is known about the patient and how clinicians apply that knowledge,” he said, adding that strengthening this link could significantly improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
New faculty, long-standing expertise
Dean of the Faculty, Professor Fatimah Abdulkareem, said the FBCS, though recently formalised, builds on decades of teaching and research across departments such as pathology, microbiology and haematology.
“This conference is our first major public demonstration of a vision anchored in precision medicine, innovation and clinical excellence,” she said.
She added that the faculty is focused on three pillars: academic training, research and service delivery, with a strong emphasis on translating scientific findings into accessible, real-world solutions.
Research spotlight: from infectious diseases to cancer trials
The Dean highlighted ongoing research spanning infectious and non-communicable diseases, including work on Ebola, Lassa fever, HIV and malaria, noting that researchers from CMUL played a role in early Ebola diagnostics in Nigeria and continue to lead studies in virology and parasitology.
She also announced a recently launched clinical trial targeting colorectal cancer, involving immunotherapy treatment offered at no cost to patients.
“When patients use it, the tumour disappears,” she said, referring to results observed in other settings, adding that the programme is now ready to begin locally.
Other areas of focus include sickle cell disease, where bone marrow transplant capabilities are expanding, and drug development within clinical pharmacology.
Tackling brain drain with “reverse migration”
Addressing concerns about the emigration of Nigerian health professional, popularly known as “Japa”, Oremosu said efforts are underway to encourage “reverse migration,” with diaspora experts showing renewed interest in contributing to local healthcare and research.
“It is a patriotic move,” he said, noting that collaboration with alumni abroad is being strengthened through the conference.
Bridging academia, industry and the public
Conference Chair Professor Titilayo Adeyemo said the event is intentionally designed to foster collaboration beyond academia, integrating perspectives from industry and the public.
Day one will focus on community outreach in Lagos areas such as Idi-Araba and Mushin, including health education and medical services. Day two will feature keynote addresses from global experts, while day three will host technical sessions on diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance and healthcare innovation.
The programme will also explore the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in clinical training and decision-making.
From knowledge to impact
Dr Abdulwasin Adeniyi Busari, a co-chair, described the conference as a “defining moment” to ensure that teaching and research remain relevant to healthcare realities.
Another co-chair, Dr Olaide Dawodu, emphasised the importance of integrating diagnostics, therapeutics and clinical insight into a unified system, noting that global healthcare advances increasingly depend on connecting data to patient outcomes.
Industry partnership targets system-wide change
The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Health Business Academy for Africa, which aims to strengthen healthcare systems through leadership and operational capacity building. Its Executive Director, Wale Olajubu, said the initiative reflects a broader shift toward integrated, outcome-driven healthcare.
“The future of healthcare will not be shaped by clinical excellence alone, but by how well we connect science, systems and strategy,” he said.
Organisers said a key goal is to make scientific research more accessible, with plans for podcasts, digital platforms and increased media engagement.
“We want research to move beyond journals and conferences,” Abdulkareem said. “It must provide solutions that people can understand and benefit from.”
CMUL leaders expressed confidence that the inaugural conference will establish a new model for collaboration, innovation and measurable impact in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
“This is not just an academic gathering,” Oremosu said. “It is a platform to generate practical solutions that will strengthen our healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.”