An outstanding globally-acclaimed Medical Microbiologist and Medical Laboratory Scientist,Professor Dennis Edokpaigbe Agbonlahorrreceived his formal and specialised training in Nigeria and abroad, including National Veterinary Research Laboratory Training School, Vom; Paddington Technical College, London; and College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Professor Agbonlahor’s professional work experience has been extensive. He worked with the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom; Central Middlesex Hospital, London; and St. Georges Hospital, Toothing, London. He joined the then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma as a Senior Lecturer in 1985; and became a Professor in 1988. Progressively, he served as Dean of Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences; Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); and Vice-Chancellor of the University. He is also a Visiting Professor to a number of universities within and outside Nigeria.
With over 137 scholarly publications in reputable journals to his credit, Professor Dennis Agbonlahor has recorded many notable research findings and initiatives.The core of his Scientific contributions are spread around research findings on his innovative phenotypic & molecular laboratory diagnosis of causative bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens from human and animal clinical specimens. Of special note, is his maiden discovery & description of a novel diarrheagenic pathogen, which he named Yersiniaenterocolitica-like bacterium in 1982. It is also significant to note how he fearlessly joined the team of the Lassa fever investigators in Nigeria at the outset of outbreaks of this dreaded disease in the 70s & 80s. His involvement and experiences during the 1989 episode in the University Town of Ekpoma remains noteworthy.
Among others, He played very crucial and decisive role in the transformation of the training of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria from the former professional Diploma programme to its current five-year university degree programme in the late 1980s and 1990s. He has continued to serve as a consultant on the World Expert Advisory Microbiology Board of the International Federation of Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Beyond the classroom, Professor Dennis Agbonlahor has been pressed into service on critical assignment He is a member of the National Committee on the Control of Lassa Fever in Nigeria; He is currently serving as a member of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on Covid-19, Federal Ministry of Health Response; Professor Dennis Edokpaigbe Agbonlahor also served as the President of Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) between 2004 and 2006; He is the President and Founder of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Initiative(AMRAI, a health-based NGO, he is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lahor Research Laboratories and Medical Centre, Benin City.
Honoured severally, he is a Fellow of many academic societies and professional bodies. They include: Royal College of Pathologists, UK, Nigeria Academy of Science, Nigeria Academy of Medicine Specialties, West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Royal Society for Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, London, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, London, Microbiology Society of Nigeria, and American Society for Microbiology, among others.
He is happily married to Lady Rhonda Nike Agbonlahor; and they have children one of who is a Professor of Medical & Environmental Microbiology.
Ladies & Gentlemen, we invite Professor Dennis Edokpaigbe Agbonlahor to receive the Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Science.
Congratulations, Sir!