By Olasunkanmi Olajide & David Johnson
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has reinforced its growing role in public health research and innovation as it hosted the golden jubilee edition of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), where experts called for a fundamental shift towards proactive, risk-informed health planning to safeguard communities in security-challenged environments.
The Opening Ceremony of the 4-Day 50th Annual Conference and General Meeting of PPSN, themed, “Golden Era of PPSN Conferences: Multidisciplinary Approach to Global Health Security,” held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Professor Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building, brought together researchers, health professionals, policymakers and development partners to explore innovative responses to emerging public health challenges.
Delivering the first Keynote Address, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, urged governments and health institutions to move beyond reactive interventions towards anticipatory planning capable of protecting lives and sustaining healthcare delivery amid insecurity.
Speaking on “Health Interventions in a Security-Challenged Environment,” Dr. Coker identified disruptions to routine health services, restricted access to healthcare facilities and risks to frontline health workers as major challenges confronting health systems in insecure environments.
She advocated the integration of health risk assessments into development planning, alongside stronger disease surveillance, data-driven decision-making and the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to identify threats early and improve emergency preparedness.
She also stressed that protecting healthcare workers and engaging local communities were indispensable to effective public health responses.
Highlighting the value of university-government partnerships, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ogun State Ministry of Health had collaborated with FUNAAB on an AI-driven disease surveillance platform. The collaboration underscores the University’s contribution to technology-enabled health monitoring through its Artificial Intelligence Applications for One Health Research Hub, which developed the IDS Master platform in partnership with the Ministry.
The development further highlights FUNAAB’s capacity to translate research and technological innovation into practical solutions for public health challenges, particularly in disease surveillance, prevention and response.
The second Keynote Address was delivered by the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Reaching the Last Mile Africa, Dr. Sunday Isiyaku, who examined the contributions of professional societies and Non-Governmental Organisations to parasitology and health interventions in Nigeria.
His presentation, entitled, “Impact of PPSN and NGOs in Parasitology and Health Interventions in Nigeria: What Is Needed,” focused on opportunities to strengthen collaboration and improve the effectiveness of public health programmes.
The third Keynote Address, “Multidisciplinary Approach to Public Health Issues Intervention in Nigeria,” was delivered on behalf of Chief Rita Oguntoyinbo by Dr. Adedayo Oludolamu, immediate past Vice-Chairperson of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Branch.
The presentation noted the importance of environmental engineering in interrupting the transmission cycles of infectious diseases and called for coordinated action among frontline health professionals and other relevant disciplines.
Declaring the 50th Annual Conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by the Dean of the Postgraduate School, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, learning and community engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that FUNAAB’s research capacity and international collaborations had positioned the institution to work with relevant stakeholders in addressing pressing societal challenges.
He expressed the University’s readiness to deepen partnerships that would promote research-driven solutions, innovative healthcare interventions and sustainable development.
The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, commended PPSN for choosing FUNAAB to host the landmark conference and challenged participants to use the gathering to generate practical recommendations capable of advancing public health and strengthening global health security.
Earlier, the President of PPSN, Prof. Sammy Olufemi Sam-Wobo, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and University Management for supporting the hosting of the historic conference.
Prof. Sam-Wobo, also the Director, Zoological Park of FUNAAB, described the 50th edition as a significant milestone in the Society’s development and acknowledged the contributions of the Conference Management Committee, Local Organising Committee, Board of Trustees, Non-Governmental Organisations and Editorial Board to the success of the event.
A major highlight of the Opening Ceremony was the presentation of an award to the Vice-Chancellor by PPSN in recognition of the University’s role in hosting the golden jubilee conference. The Society also presented awards to the keynote speakers.
Present at the ceremony were the Senate Representative on the Governing Council of FUNAAB, Prof. Adebayo Oni; Dean, College of Biosciences (COLBIOS), FUNAAB, Prof. Iyabode Kehinde, among several others from different institutions in Nigeria.
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