A new era has dawned at the Nigeria Association of Sports Science and Medicine with the election of a new executive committee led by Professor I. O. Oladipo. This leadership change was formalized during the association’s recent conference held at the University of Ibadan.
Professor Oladipo emerged victorious over his rival, Professor Ochuko Nabofa, in a keenly contested election. Other elected officials include Professor Dominic Leah Oluwafunmilola, who emerged unopposed as Vice President; Dr. Boluwaji G. Jaiyesimi, who was elected as General Secretary; and Mr. Taiwo Abdulkarim, who will serve as the Assistant General Secretary.
Additionally, Professor M. H. Darma was returned unopposed as Treasurer, while Dr. Victor Ogunleye was elected as the Public Relations Officer of the association.
The election was one of the key highlights of the 2025 Conference themed “Shaping Humans and Society through Science and Medicine of Sports.”
In his acceptance speech, Professor Oladipo pledged to run an inclusive administration, aimed at positioning the association at the pinnacle of professional bodies in Nigeria.
The keynote address at the conference was delivered by Professor Emmanuel Igoh Odokuma, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka. He expressed concern over the increasing rate of mental illness in the country and emphasized the importance of sports in alleviating stress, emotional trauma, and other mental health disorders.
Professor Odokuma highlighted that sporting activities contribute to reducing stress and enhancing longevity. He urged all levels of government to invest in and promote sports among citizens to help improve public health and life expectancy.
“We explored how medicine and science can shape the future of sports and discussed key issues such as humanity, science, and mental health,” he noted. “In managing psychiatric conditions like depression, sports play a vital role. Beyond health, sports also offer significant economic benefits,” he concluded.