The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community gathered in academic celebration on Tuesday, 24th June, 2025, as Professor Lateef Salawu, a distinguished haematologist and former Acting Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), delivered the institution’s 400th inaugural lecture.
Titled “Blood is Health: Our Blood Mirrors Our Being,” the lecture offered a compelling exploration of the centrality of blood in human life and medicine. It marked several institutional milestones — the 400th in the university’s history, the 4th from the Department of Haematology and Immunology, and notably, the 1st from the newly established Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences.
Professor Salawu, known for his scholarly rigour and unassuming leadership style, delved into the essential nature of blood as both a diagnostic medium and a symbol of vitality. “The circulation of blood sustains life, and its absence signifies its end,” he stated, as he unpacked the intricate connections between blood, disease, and the body’s immune responses.
Drawing from decades of clinical and academic experience, he explained how serological and immunological techniques are critical in diagnosing infections, detecting antibodies, and evaluating immune competence. He further stressed the indispensable role of pathology in understanding disease mechanisms and guiding effective interventions.
“A drop of blood,” he said, “can tell the story of a person’s health, predict risks, and provide clues that could alter the pathways of illness.”
Throughout his career, Professor Salawu has served with distinction. He previously headed the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, chaired the Laboratory Revolving Fund Committee, and contributed to several strategic hospital committees, including those on antiretroviral therapy and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. His tenure as Acting CMD in 2023 was marked by humility and professionalism.
Beyond OAUTHC, his academic footprint stretches across Nigeria. He has served as an external examiner for top medical institutions, including the universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Ilorin, Jos, ABU Zaria, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Osogbo, Ondo, and Abakaliki — shaping the future of haematology and immunology education nationwide.
The 400th inaugural lecture was not just a celebration of academic achievement, but a reminder of the university and hospital’s enduring legacy of excellence, embodied by one of its most respected medical scholars.
