The University of Lagos (UNILAG) in collaboration with Push Aid Africa Inc. (PAAF) successfully hosted the 8th Annual Africa Interdisciplinary Health Conference (AfIHC) on “Advancing Sustainable Healthcare and Environmental Resilience in Africa: Integrating Health, Ecology and Community Well-being” from Wednesday, August 13 to Friday, August 15, 2025 at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, UNILAG.
The three-day international conference brought together professionals from across the continent, and provided an avenue for healthcare providers and stakeholders in both clinical and academic/research settings, to dialogue on integrated approaches to health and environmental sustainability.
Pre-Conference Training/Workshop
AfIHC 2025 commenced with a 2-day pre-conference training & workshop on Monday, August 11, 2025. Dr. Orlando Harris of the University of California began the training with a presentation on qualitative research methods and analysis while Dr. Rosanna Barrett of Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia rounded up the workshop on Re-imagining Public Health Interventions through an Implementation Science and Community Engagement Lens on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
AFiHC 2025: An Interdisciplinary/Multidisciplinary Health-Focused International Conference
Africa Interdisciplinary Health Conference (AfIHC) 2025 kicked off on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 with a brief opening ceremony which featured welcome speeches from the AfIHC 2025 Planning Committee Chair and Professor of Gender and Development Studies, UNILAG, Prof. Olufunlayo Bammeke; AfIHC Secretary General and President/Chair, PAAF, Prof. Jerry Ouner and UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi.
The Conference featured three (3) virtual and physical panel discussions, two plenary sessions, numerous abstract presentations and keynote speeches from Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, (Director-General, National Agency for Food and Administration Control (NAFDAC)); Prof. Ademola Ayodele Oremosu (Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos), and Prof. Oladele Ogunseitan, (Distinguished Professor of Population, Health and Disease Prevention, University of California and Presidential Chair, University of California, Irvine.)
Speaking virtually, Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the need for integrated strategies to address ecological degradation, food insecurity, climate change, and access to medicine in Africa. While pointing out that each problem cannot be solved in isolation, the NAFDAC DG advocated for policy alignment across health, agriculture, environment, and trade sectors, and called for increased local manufacturing capacity and public awareness on environmental stewardship and medicine safety.
She also spoke about the NAFDAC and its role in the integration of Health, Ecology, and Community Well-being. She added that “in order to develop sustainable healthcare and environmental resilience in Africa, there is a need for multi-stakeholder collaborations among the universities, public sector, health sector, etcetera”.
The conference was not all about talks and presentations as students of the Department of English, UNILAG wowed the attendees with a beautiful spoken word presentation and playlet.
Panel and Plenary sessions
During the first (1st) panel discussion, the panellists: Dr. Gifty Sunkwa-Mills of PharmAccess Ghana, Prof. Akinsanya Osibogun of UNILAG and Prof. James Avoka Asamani of the World Health Organisation (WHO), discussed the topic: Building Resilient Health in Africa. The session was moderated by Prof. Nokuthula Nkosi of the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Panellists including Prof. Oladele Ogunseitan of the University of California, Dr. Olunifesi Suraj of UNILAG, Dr. Orlando Harris of the University of California and Dr. Kenneth Ngure of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya discussed Behavioural Change for Health, Environmental Sustainability and Community Well-being, at the second panel session.This session was moderated by Rosanna Barrett of Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia.
The third (3rd) panel session on Vulnerabilities, Environmental Sustainability and Health Challenges in Africa was anchored by Dr. Karlheinz Samenjo of Delfi University of Technology, Netherlands. Panellists included: Prof. Judith Bruce of the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, Dr. Justus O.S. Osero of Kenyatta University & Prof. Ifeyinwa Asiodu of the University of California.
The two plenary sessions on Discussion of Publication of AfIHC 2024 & 2025 Proceedings and Developing A Nurse-Led Mobile Outreach for Hidden and Underserved Populations were handled by Co-director, Inclusive Global Health Lab, Dr. Karlheinz Samanjo and Prof. Natalie Wilson of University of California, respectively.
AfIHC 2025: Renewed Commitment to Drive Impactful Change
AfIHC 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based solutions for Africa’s health and environmental challenges. The annual conference is poised to continue to serve as a vital platform for professionals across sectors to share research, exchange ideas, and drive impactful change.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographers: Joshua Michael & Samuel Dosumu
