Dr Oyewale Tomori

Professor Oyewale Tomori is a member of the Global Virome Project Leadership Board. He is the immediate past President of the Nigerian Academy of Science with experience in virology, disease prevention and control. He was at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, from 1971 to 1994. He later served as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University in Nigeria from 2004 to 2011. From 1994 to 2004, he was a virologist for the World Health Organization (WHO)’s African Region, establishing the African Regional Polio Laboratory Network. In 1981, he was recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for contributions to Lassa fever research. Professor Oyewale has authored/co-authored over 150 scientific publications.

Professor Tomori has served or continues to serve on numerous advisory committees, including: (nationally) Chair, Lassa Fever Steering Committee, National Laboratory Technical Working Group, Expert Working Group on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization; and (internationally) WHO SAGE, WHO Africa Regional Polio Certification Committee, WHO Group of Experts on Yellow Fever Disease, Chairman WHO Yellow Fever Emergency Committee on International Health Regulations, Gavi Board, Vice Chair of US National Academy of Medicine Global Health Risk Framework Commission, and World Bank Interagency Working Group on Financing Preparedness and Response. He also served as Laboratory Planning and Quality Monitoring Adviser to the WHO-AFRO Regional Director and as Chairman, Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Health Sector Response, of the Nigerian government. He is an international member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, Board Chair of Biovaccines Nigeria Ltd and a Senior Fellow at the Scowcroft Institute, Texas A&M University, United States.

Prof Tomori is serving on the IHR Emergency Committee concerning ongoing events and context involving transmission and international spread of poliovirus and served on the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the Middle East respiratory syndrome, the IHR Emergency Committee on Yellow Fever, the IHR Review Committee regarding Standing Recommendations for mpox, and the IHR Review Committee regarding Standing Recommendations for COVID-19.