FUNAAB Professor Calls for Stronger Action Against Parasitic Diseases

A Professor of Public Health Parasitology and Epidemiology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Sam Olufemi Sam-Wobo, has urged government and health stakeholders to adopt bold, innovative, and people-centred strategies to tackle parasitic diseases in Nigeria and beyond.

He made the call on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, while delivering the university’s 113th Inaugural Lecture titled “As the Heart Thinks, So It Is: The Story of Parasites” held at the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building.

Prof. Sam-Wobo described parasitic infections as a persistent but often neglected public health burden, stressing that their spread is driven not only by biological factors but also by socio-economic, cultural, and environmental realities.

He noted that controlling parasitic and vector-borne diseases requires more than laboratory research, insisting that sustainable progress depends on community-focused and context-specific interventions that translate scientific knowledge into real-world impact.

According to him, parasites should be viewed as both ancient biological threats and reflections of deeper systemic vulnerabilities in society, arguing that effective control must address inequality, behavioural patterns, and weak health systems.

The professor, who also serves as President of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), called for stronger interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and community actors to develop scalable solutions for disease control.

He further emphasized the need for increased investment in neglected tropical diseases, improved access to diagnostics and treatment, and stronger support systems for early-career researchers working in public health.

Prof. Sam-Wobo also advocated for closer partnerships between academia, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, noting that sustainable disease control requires coordinated action and local ownership at the community level.

In his conclusion, he called for deliberate implementation of health policies and stronger monitoring systems, stressing that scientific knowledge must be matched with practical execution. Citing former WHO Director-General, Dr. Halfdan Mahler, he reiterated that “health is not a gift; it must be fought for.”

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the lecture as a significant academic milestone and commended the lecturer’s contributions to research, teaching, and community service.

He highlighted Prof. Sam-Wobo’s academic progression from Graduate Assistant to Professor, as well as his international collaborations with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and involvement in major health initiatives across Africa.

Prof. Kehinde also noted the lecturer’s role in securing research grants, mentoring postgraduate students, and contributing to policy discussions on neglected tropical diseases, describing him as a scholar whose work bridges academia and societal impact.