UNILORIN don’s team makes breakthrough in stroke treatment
By Abubakar Imam
An international team of researchers, led by the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Kolawole Wasiu Wahab, has discovered the efficacy antihypertensive agents in the treatment of strokes.
This research breakthrough, according to Prof. Wahab, was sequel to the release of results of TRIDENT clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which emanated from the findings of the researcher team.
A statement issued by the Dean, a copy of which was made available to UNILORIN Bulletin last Friday (April 24, 2026), explained that the team succeeded in demonstrating the efficacy of the antihypertensive agents among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), treatment with a combination of three low-dose antihypertensive agents (Telmisartan/Amlodipine/Indapamide) in a single pill, in addition to standard care. It was associated with a lower incidence of recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.92; P = 0.02).
Prof. Wahab, who teaches at the Department of Medicine, congratulated all those who collaborated with him in the course of the research as he also expressed appreciation to all their patients who participated in this landmark trial.
The Dean described the breakthrough as a major win for secondary prevention of ICH globally as he said that he was delighted that the University of Ilorin provided able leadership on this trial in Nigeria with himself as the National Principal Investigator.
Prof. Wahab, who is also a former Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), appreciated the collective efforts that brought the team to that level as he recalled that the trial was led by Craig Anderson at The George Institute for Global Health.
He added that they worked together with a fantastic group of researchers across the globe, with funding provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia and Brazilian Ministry of Health.
Prof. Wahab pointed out that the success would have been impossible without the tireless efforts of all TRIDENT Research Collaborators in Nigeria as he specifically thanked Abiodun Bello, Wemimo Alaofin, Olalekan Oyinloye, Njideka Okubadejo, Osigwe Paul Agabi, Rufus Akinyemi, Mayowa Owolabi, Reginald Obiakor, Godwin osaigbovo, Sunday Adeniyi and other numerous team members and Research Assistants for the tireless efforts that got the team to the finish line and for showing that they can work together to reduce the burden of stroke by generating the much-needed evidence through participation in global clinical trials.
