Oyewale Tomori, President, Nigerian Academy of Science, was the pioneer Vice-Chancellor (2004-2011), at the Redeemer’s University, Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK), Nigeria Academy of Science and Nigeria College of Veterinary Surgeons and a recipient of the Nigeria National Order of Merit (NNOM), Nigeria’s highest award for academic, intellectual attainment and national development.
He was the Regional Virologist (WHO Africa Region) from 1994-2004. During the period, he set up the African Regional Polio Laboratory Network, comprising of 16 laboratories, providing diagnostic support to the global polio eradication initiative. The Network became the forerunner of other regional diagnostic laboratory networks for measles, yellow fever, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. He was involved in the investigations of outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers – Lassa fever, Yellow fever, Ebola, Marburg hemorrhagic fever infections in Nigeria, Liberia, DR Congo and Uganda between 1995 and 2004. Professor Tomori has served and currently serves on several national and international advisory bodies. He has authored and co-authored more than 130 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and he is a prolific commentator on public issues, especially on science and education.