Nigerian Professor Makes Continental History in Adolescent Health
In a groundbreaking achievement for African medical science, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo, has been honored with the prestigious Founders Award at the 13th World Congress on Adolescent Health. This remarkable recognition establishes him as the first African ever to receive this award in its three-decade history.
Historic Recognition for Decades of Work
According to Isaac Oluyi, the Public Relations Officer of UNIMED, Professor Fatusi was one of only four recipients worldwide to receive the 2025 Founders Award from the International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH). The award ceremony, originally scheduled to take place physically in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was conducted virtually due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa that struck the Caribbean nation.
The IAAH Founders Award represents one of the highest honors in the field of adolescent health globally, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to advancing healthcare for young people. Professor Fatusi's recognition specifically acknowledges his remarkable efforts in advancing adolescent health both within Nigeria and across international borders.
Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, the current Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, celebrated the achievement, stating: "This is a feat well deserved. Professor Fatusi is an embodiment of excellence, and this recognition is a reward for excellence. As an institution, we congratulate him."
Trailblazing Career in Adolescent Health
Professor Fatusi's pioneering work in adolescent health spans more than twenty-five years, beginning in 1999 when he led the development of Nigeria's first National Training Manual on Adolescent Health. This foundational document established standards and protocols that have shaped adolescent healthcare practices across the nation.
Among his most significant achievements is his leadership in establishing the Society for Adolescent and Young People's Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN), an organization that has positively transformed the lives of thousands of young Nigerians through improved healthcare access and education.
Additionally, Professor Fatusi has chaired Nigeria's National Technical Working Group on Adolescent Health and Development for over a decade, providing strategic direction and policy recommendations that have influenced national health priorities and programming for young people.
UNIMED's Technological Advancement Initiatives
In related developments, UNIMED has begun implementing comprehensive internet connectivity infrastructure across its campuses and student hostels. This initiative, part of Vice-Chancellor Adejuyigbe's vision to transform UNIMED into a world-class institution, will provide students and staff with uninterrupted access to information resources.
The project, developed in partnership with Sam Smith Global Company Limited, promises to deliver numerous benefits including:
- 24-hour internet bandwidth service
- Round-the-clock network engineering support
- Reduced communication and internet costs for students
- Direct connection to international internet backbone
- Real-time performance monitoring infrastructure
Professor Adejuyigbe emphasized that "access to quality information at the speed of light gives any institution a huge advantage to be globally competitive and relevant. One of my cardinal objectives is to reposition UNIMED as a global brand in teaching, research and community service."
The Vice-Chancellor further committed that "no stone will be left unturned in achieving this. Under my administration, UNIMED will become a one-stop institution for medical and health sciences education through deployment of high-end technology."
