The College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), has inaugurated the GP2–CMUL Molecular Laboratory to strengthen medical research capacity in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday in Lagos, the Deputy Provost of CMUL, Prof. Daniel Debiyi, said the laboratory would benefit students, researchers, and national health outcomes.
Debiyi represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and the Provost of CMUL, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, at the ceremony.
The project was sponsored by Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s and the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Programme. Debiyi thanked the organizations for launching the first project at the Sir Kensington Adebutu Medical Research Centre, inaugurated at the college in October 2025.
He said the university welcomes collaborations that promote innovation and advance health science research. “The laboratory is expected to strengthen advanced research and medical training within the institution. I am confident it will nurture curious minds, turn ideas into breakthroughs, and support collaboration to tackle real-life health challenges,” Debiyi added.
The Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, described the laboratory as a “landmark achievement” for the college. He said it would provide a platform for learning and research into disease origins and genetics, particularly Parkinson’s disease.
“With this laboratory, genetic analysis can now be done in Nigeria, rather than shipping samples abroad. Everything can be done here, from patient recruitment to sample analysis and predicting disease outcomes,” Fasanmade said.
He added that the facility could support targeted treatments and prevention of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders through research.
The Principal Investigator for GP2 at UNILAG, Prof. Njideka Okubadejo, said the laboratory is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. “The lab allows students to undertake internships and training, giving them hands-on experience beyond textbooks,” she said, noting that the exposure would prepare graduates for employment in molecular laboratories globally.
