The Academy of Medical Sciences will install Professor Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku as its new president at its forthcoming convocation scheduled to hold on October 30, 2026 in Lagos, outgoing President of the Academy, Emeritus Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie, has announced.

Giwa-Osagie said the event would also feature the induction of 13 new Fellows and the presentation of the Academy’s inaugural Gold Medal Award to Professor Okechukwu Samuel Ogah, a cardiology professor at the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Ogah, named the recipient of the 2026 award, will receive a cash prize of N10 million and a medal at the ceremony.

Giwa-Osagie said the award was established to recognise outstanding contributions to medical scholarship, professional leadership, research and improved health outcomes in Nigeria and internationally.

He said the 13 new Fellows were drawn from different fields, including cardiology, nephrology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, pathology, neuroscience, molecular biology, clinical pharmacology, oral medicine, dental public health, pharmacognosy, medical parasitology and biochemical toxicology.

Giwa-Osagie further disclosed that, alongside the convocation, the Academy would host its 2026 Annual Scientific Conference, themed ‘The Genetics and Genomics of Non-Communicable Diseases: Integrating Science into Clinical Care’, bringing together eight distinguished speakers from different parts of the world to explore how scientific discoveries can be translated into clinical practice.

The keynote address, titled ‘The Joy of the Human Genome: Discovery to Clinical Care,’ will be delivered by Professor Azeez Butali, a professor of craniofacial genetics and Gilbert Lily Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences at the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, United States.

The conference will also feature the second annual Augustine Ohwovoriole Memorial Lecture, instituted in honour of Professor Augustine Ohwovoriole, a founding member of the Academy’s Board of Trustees, to be delivered by Professor Sunday Chinenye, a professor of endocrinology at the University of Port Harcourt and Fellow of the Academy.

Giwa-Osagie said the memorial lecture was instituted to honour Ohwovoriole, a founding member of the Academy’s Board of Trustees, and preserve his legacy and contributions to medicine.

The Foundation President of the Academy, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, said the events reflected the institution’s commitment to advancing medical science, recognising excellence and strengthening leadership in Nigeria’s health sector.

He further said the Academy was confident that the forthcoming convocation would uphold its traditions while setting a new standard for the advancement of medical science and professional excellence in Nigeria.