Prof. Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi
● Currently in Office📅 Tenure in Office
Prof. Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi has been serving as commissioner for health, lagos state of Lagos State since August 20, 2019, under the APC Party.
👤 About Prof. Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi
Professor Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi is a specialist in internal medicine, haematology, biosecurity and environmental health. He obtained his medical degree at the Royal Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital, University of London, with fellowships from the Royal College of Medicine and Pathology in the United Kingdom.
Before entering government, he was Chief Pathologist and Head of the Division of Haematology at the University of Stellenbosch's Faculty of Medicine in Cape Town, South Africa, and later a Professor of Medicine at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in Lagos. He founded the Global Emerging Pathogen Consortium (GET-Africa), established during the West African Ebola outbreak to address biosecurity concerns across the continent.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appointed him Commissioner for Health in August 2019. Following Lagos's index case of COVID-19 in March 2020, Abayomi was appointed to lead the state's pandemic response, becoming one of the most visible public officials in Nigeria during the crisis; he tested positive for COVID-19 himself in August 2020 and recovered days later. President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on him the National Productivity Order of Merit in recognition of this work. He was retained as Commissioner for Health for Sanwo-Olu's second term beginning September 2023.
📋 Personal Information
| Full name | Prof. Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi |
| Title / Role | Commissioner for Health, Lagos State |
| State | Lagos State |
| Party | APC |
| Education | MBBS, Royal Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital, University of London; Fellowships, Royal College of Medicine and Pathology, United Kingdom |
| In office since | August 20, 2019 |
| Geopolitical zone | SW |
🏆 Key Achievements
Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, since 2019, now serving a second term. Led the Lagos State response to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020. Formerly Professor of Medicine at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and Chief Pathologist/Head of Haematology at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Founder of the Global Emerging Pathogen Consortium (GET-Africa). Conferred the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
🏛 Role & Ministry — Health, Lagos State
Prof. Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi serves as a member of the Lagos State Executive Council under Governor the Governor. As Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, the office oversees policy and administration of the Health, Lagos State sector in Lagos State.
State commissioners are the state-level equivalent of federal ministers. They are nominated by the governor, screened by the State House of Assembly and serve at the governor's pleasure. Prof. Emmanuel Akinola "Akin" Abayomi was appointed on August 20, 2019.
📊 Lagos State — Key Facts
| State | Lagos State |
| Capital | Ikeja |
| Zone | SW |
| Population | 13,992,000 |
| Ministry | Health, Lagos State |
| Appointed | August 20, 2019 |