The Senate of the UNILAG(ºìÌÒÊÓƵ), on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, honoured two of its distinguished members, Professor Joseph Dada Adeyemi and Professor Mercy Adaku Chigemezu Onwuama, as they retire from the service of the University.
Professor Joseph Dada Adeyemi
Professor Adeyemi of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine will officially retire on Saturday, May 11, 2026, while Professor Onwuama of the Faculty of Education will conclude her service on Wednesday, May 15, 2026.
Although Professor Adeyemi was unavoidably absent at the meeting, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Foluso Afolabi-Lesi, who presided as Acting Chairperson, read the citations of both academics. He congratulated them on their illustrious careers and commended their invaluable contributions to the University and the nation at large.
In her response, Professor Onwuama expressed deep appreciation to the Senate for the honour and thanked the UNILAGcommunity for providing a platform that enabled her to thrive academically while contributing to knowledge and mentoring future leaders.
Below are the citations of the two distinguished academics:
Professor Joseph Dada Adeyemi was born on May 11, 1956, in Kabba, Kogi State. He began his early education at St. Mary’s Primary School, Kabba (1963–1969), and attended St. Augustine’s College, Kabba (1970–1974). He proceeded to the School of Basic Studies at Kwara State College of Technology (1974–1976) before earning his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Ibadan (1976–1981). He later obtained a Diploma in Psychiatry (1987–1991) and a Master of Science in Psychiatry (1991–1994) from the Victoria University of Manchester, England.
Professor Adeyemi joined the UNILAGin 1992 and was promoted to the rank of Professor of Psychiatry in 2007. His research interests include consultation-liaison psychiatry, public mental health, and the psychological dimensions of medical conditions.
Over the years, he held several key positions, including Head of the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine; Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences; and Director, Centre for Autism and Neuro-Developmental Disorders.
He also served as a member of the Medical Board of the College of Medicine and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in addition to chairing and serving on numerous committees. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Sciences.
A distinguished scholar and clinician, Professor Adeyemi has made significant contributions to teaching, research, and clinical practice. He has supervised numerous undergraduate projects and eighteen postgraduate dissertations. He has authored over 80 scholarly publications in reputable journals.
Beyond ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, he served as External Examiner to institutions including the University of Ilorin, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, University of Benin, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and West African Postgraduate Medical College.
He is married and blessed with children.
Professor Mercy Adaku Chigemezu Onwuama
Professor Mercy Adaku Chigemezu Onwuama, born on May 15, 1956, in Lagos, is an indigene of Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State. She attended Girls’ Secondary School, Umungasi, Aba, before enrolling at the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, where she obtained her B.Sc. (1991) and M.Ed. (1995) in Health Education. She later earned a Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Ibadan in 2003.
She began her career at UNILAGin 1985 as a Nursing Officer at the Medical Centre, rising to the position of Chief Nursing Officer in 2005. Driven by her passion for academia, she transitioned to the Faculty of Education in 2005 as Lecturer II and attained the rank of Professor in 2020 in the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education.
Professor Onwuama specializes in Health Education, with a focus on Safety Education and Disease Prevention. She has taught extensively, conducted impactful research, and contributed significantly to community development. She is a registered Nurse and Midwife, licensed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
Her service to the University includes chairing the Faculty of Education Lecture Series 2025 Local Organizing Committee and serving on the Medical Team for the 26th Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA), where she trained staff and volunteers in safety and first aid.
She has served as External Examiner to the University of Ibadan, University of Benin, and Tai Solarin University of Education. Her research collaborations span national and international platforms, including work with Swansea University’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and ICHPERSD, addressing critical public health issues such as school feeding programmes and intestinal worm infestations.
Professor Onwuama delivered her inaugural lecture titled Breaking Barriers in Disease Prevention: Health Education, A Lifeline on November 25, 2025. She has published over 60 scholarly articles and contributed to academic books, advancing the field of preventive health education.
Beyond academia, she served as Chairman of the Board of the College of Nursing and Joint Hospital, Amaigbo, Imo State (2016–2024), and is a licensed Diocesan Reader in the Anglican Communion, Lagos Diocese. She is married and blessed with children.
Author: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photographer: Joshua Michael
