Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu

Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu

Professor Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu is a renowned pediatrician, infectious disease expert, and global advocate in the fight against malaria. With over 35 years of experience, he has dedicated his career to improving the health outcomes of children, particularly in resource-limited settings.

A proud alumnus of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Mokuolu earned his MBBS in 1987. He later completed his specialist training in Pediatrics at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where his focus on neonatology and infectious diseases laid the foundation for his life’s work. Ever committed to growth, he later earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and an MBA in Operations Management and Entrepreneurship—testament to his multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.

His early clinical roles quickly evolved into leadership positions across Nigeria’s academic and public health landscape. As a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ilorin and Honorary Consultant at its teaching hospital, he has trained and mentored over 22 postgraduate candidates and served in multiple administrative capacities. He also founded the Centre for Malaria and Other Tropical Diseases (CEMTROD), further institutionalizing his commitment to building local research capacity.

Professor Mokuolu’s research contributions have shaped global policies. He served as the site Principal Investigator in numerous international studies, including AQUAMAT (comparing quinine and artesunate in severe malaria), TRAC (Tracking Artemisinin Resistance), and studies on the deployment of Triple Artemisinin Combination Therapies. These collaborations with global partners like USAID, DFID, and the Wellcome Trust have not only improved malaria treatment strategies but also supported policy reforms in over 15 countries.

His influence goes far beyond publications. As Chair of the WHO Antimalarial Treatment Guidelines Technical Expert Group and Co-Chair of the Roll Back Malaria Case Management Working Group, he’s helped shape global malaria protocols. His advocacy and technical expertise have also mobilized over $2.5 billion in support of malaria control across Africa.

Despite his international reputation, Professor Mokuolu remains firmly grounded in Nigeria’s health sector. From 2018 to 2022, he served as the Malaria Technical Director at the National Malaria Elimination Programme (FMOH), and in 2024, he was appointed Strategic Advisor to the Minister of Health on malaria elimination—proof of the trust vested in his leadership.

His contributions span academic research, clinical training, healthcare management, and health policy. With over 120 peer-reviewed publications and more than 7,600 citations, his work is both influential and widely respected. His studies on malaria treatment, diagnostics, environmental control, and perinatal care have become critical reference points in the field.

Professor Mokuolu’s accolades reflect both his expertise and his impact. From being named Researcher of the Year at the University of Ilorin to receiving the Nigeria LNG Prize in Science, his work has earned national and international recognition. In 2011, he was honored as one of 20 global “Champions to End Malaria” by the United Nations. In 2023, Empower Africa named him among 20 heroes fighting malaria in Africa.

Above all, Professor Mokuolu is deeply respected for his integrity, mentorship, and vision. Whether he’s presenting at global health forums or mentoring students in Ilorin, he brings empathy, intellectual rigor, and a relentless drive to improve public health systems. His career is a masterclass in how science, compassion, and leadership can come together to save lives—and change the future of healthcare in Africa.