Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is one of three universities established in Nigeria between 1961 and 1962. The College of Health Sciences, originally known as the Faculty of Health Sciences, was founded in 1971, a decade after the establishment of the then University of Ife.

Aligned with the goals of the College, the Department of Medicine has been actively engaged in clinical and research activities. Over the past 40 years, the department has focused on training undergraduate and postgraduate students in internal medicine. It has been at the forefront of pioneering efforts in renal and transplantation medicine and has contributed significantly to building capacity and skilled manpower across Nigeria in core specialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, rheumatology, hepatology, and endocrinology.

The department has conducted groundbreaking research to elucidate the etiology of various diseases. Notable research includes studies on Seasonal Ataxic Neuropathy, stroke, epilepsy, sleep disorders, asthma, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, endomyocardial fibrosis, infection-related glomerulonephritis, and the efficacy of bicarbonate therapy in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Additionally, the department has been conducting regular update courses in emergency medicine for doctors and allied healthcare workers throughout Nigeria. We are committed to making our educational programs accessible to all learners, both undergraduate and postgraduate, regardless of their practice settings.