The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akinola Emmanuel Abayomi, has called for stronger collaboration across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to address emerging health threats in Lagos and beyond.
Professor Abayomi made the call on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, while delivering the keynote address, titled “ One Health in a Mega City: Why Lagos Needs Your Science, ” at the maiden Annual Conference of the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The hybrid conference also featured plenary lectures, technical sessions, and scientific presentations, bringing together researchers, academics, students, and other stakeholders to examine a range of issues across the life sciences. Among the plenary speakers was UNILAG alumna, Dr. Temitope Ojuolape Fadipe, who delivered a presentation on the first day of the conference.
The two-day conference, themed “ One Health: Preparing the Next Generation for a Changing World ,” was held at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium, UNILAG, under the chairmanship of Mr. Babatunde Folawiyo, Chairman of the Yinka Folawiyo Group. His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashiru Aremu Odesanya, Oloto of Oto, attended as the Royal Father of the Day.
One Health in a Mega City: Why Lagos Needs Your Science
Delivering the keynote presentation, Professor Abayomi warned that emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and environmental degradation could no longer be effectively addressed through isolated interventions.
He advocated closer collaboration among medical professionals, scientists, veterinarians, environmental experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders, particularly in a rapidly expanding megacity such as Lagos.
The Commissioner also called for increased investment in research, innovation, disease surveillance, and human capacity development. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the risks associated with fragmented responses to public health emergencies and underscored the need for more integrated approaches.
Professor Abayomi further highlighted the Lagos State Government’s ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure, citing projects such as the Massey Children’s Hospital, the new General Hospital in Alimosho, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and making quality healthcare safer and more accessible to residents.
Opening of Maiden Faculty of Life Sciences Conference
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, said the growing pressures of climate change, urbanisation, emerging diseases, and food insecurity had made interdisciplinary collaboration imperative.
Professor Ogunsola reaffirmed the University’s commitment to producing graduates equipped with the knowledge, creativity, and skills required to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. She commended the Faculty of Life Sciences for convening the conference and expressed optimism that it would evolve into a leading platform for scientific exchange, research collaboration, and innovation.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Professor Ganiyu O. Oyetibo, described the conference as a significant milestone for the relatively new Faculty, stressing its commitment to advancing teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement.
He urged participants to use the platform to exchange ideas, forge research partnerships, and develop solutions to pressing challenges in health, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and food security.
1st Annual Conference of Faculty of Life Sciences: A Gathering of Over 194 Participants From 35 Institutions
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Tawakalit A. Fagbayi, expressed appreciation to the University Management, sponsors, committee members, and partners for their contributions to the successful hosting of the conference.
She disclosed that 194 participants from 35 institutions, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, academics, and other delegates, registered for the maiden edition.
Dr. Fagbayi said the strong turnout reflected growing interest in the one health approach and urged participants to build on the momentum of the conference by developing lasting networks, collaborations, and research partnerships beyond the event.
The conference marks a significant step in the development of the Faculty of Life Sciences, which was established in 2024 following the unbundling of the former Faculty of Science. The Faculty commenced academic activities in August 2025.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Maleeq Quadri
