UNILAG Don Advocates Greater Focus on Skin Health, Research at 465th Inaugural Lecture

A Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Professor Olusola Olabisi Ayanlowo, has called for greater attention to skin health, describing the skin as a vital organ that provides crucial insights into an individual’s overall health rather than merely serving cosmetic purposes.

Professor Ayanlowo made the call while delivering the 465th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), titled “The Skin Tells a Story,” at the institution’s main campus in Akoka, Lagos.

Speaking during the lecture, the renowned dermatologist explained that the skin often reflects underlying medical conditions and can provide early signs of immune regulation, immune suppression, immune dysregulation and autoimmune diseases before other symptoms become evident.

She noted that a deeper understanding of the skin’s biological processes is critical to the early diagnosis and effective management of several medical conditions, stressing that the skin serves as a window into the body’s internal health.

Professor Ayanlowo also highlighted significant advances in dermatological research, stating that growing knowledge of the immune system has revolutionised the treatment of chronic skin disorders and autoimmune diseases.

She advocated increased investment in dermatological research, public awareness campaigns and specialist training to strengthen skin healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes across Nigeria.

The professor further urged healthcare professionals to embrace multidisciplinary collaboration in managing skin-related diseases, noting that many dermatological conditions have systemic implications that require the expertise of specialists from different medical fields.

The lecture, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, formed part of the university’s inaugural lecture series, which provides a platform for distinguished academics to showcase their research contributions and advance discourse on issues of national and global significance.