5 Unilorites bag PSN 2026 prizes
By Muizdeen Adewole
Five students of the University of Ilorin have won prizes at the 43rd Annual Scientific Conference of the Physiological Society of Nigeria (PSN) hosted by the University.
The prizes were presented at the University of Ilorin Multipurpose Hall during the Conference Dinner and Awards ceremony held penultimate Friday (September 18, 2026).
The award presentations were part of the activities slated for the conference, which featured Parallel Scientific Sessions for oral and poster presentations. The presentations were grouped into clusters including Cardiovascular System (CVS), Neuroscience, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and the Physiology Beyond Boundaries Special Presentation, with entries received from universities across the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Prof. Luqman A. Olayaki, said the students’ presentation session was intentionally included as a core component of the conference to nurture the next generation of physiologists.
According to him, the session was designed to provide a competitive yet supportive platform for undergraduate and postgraduate students to showcase their original research works, receive constructive feedback from seasoned scholars, and promote translational research that addresses contemporary health challenges.
Prof. Olayaki explained that beyond the awards, the initiative is aimed at deepening interest in physiological sciences, encouraging inter-university academic interaction and instilling the culture of scientific excellence and innovation among young scientists.
He disclosed that all presentations were thoroughly scrutinised by panels of erudite scholars who served as Chairs and Rapporteurs across the various clusters. The panelists included Prof. Maryam T. Ayinla and Dr. Roland Akhigbe, Prof. Maisaratu A. Tukur and Dr. Oluwakemi T. Oyelowo, R. O. Akomolafe and Dr. A. O. Oyabambi, Prof. Bolanle O. Iranloye and Dr. W.I. Abdulmajeed, K.O. Ajeigbe and Dr. Oladokun O.O., Prof. C. Onwuchekwa and Dr. C.E. Imafidon for the parallel sessions, while Prof. T.M. Salman and Prof. S. Bisong chaired the plenary sessions.
Prof. Olayaki congratulated the participants, especially the Unilorin contingent, for making the University proud. Among the winners from UNILORIN were Oyedele Maleek Olanrewaju, who clinched the Best Oral Presentation Award in the Endocrinology and Metabolism cluster; Akinlabi Islamiyah Adenike, who emerged 2nd Runner-up in the Oral Presentation Award for Neuroscience; Muzzammil Salamat Saliu, who won the Best Poster Presentation Award in Neuroscience; Adebimpe-John Omolola Esther, who secured the 2nd Runner-up position in the Poster Presentation Award for Neuroscience; and Ayinla Zainab Olabisi, who bagged the Physiology Beyond Boundaries Special Presentation Award.
The Chairman, therefore, urged students to remain curious, diligent and innovative, while calling on experts and mentors to sustain their commitment to training and guiding young scientists for the advancement of Physiology in Nigeria and beyond.
