About Us
The Department of Physiological Sciences is one of the foundation departments in the College of Health Sciences of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The Department is committed to training and nurturing high quality professionals in various areas of medical sciences; dentistry, medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy at the undergraduate levels of their studies. Apart from training graduate students in M.Sc, MPhil and PhD physiology, members of the department are involved in various groundbreaking research work in their various areas of specialization, the outcomes of which have been patented/published in peer reviewed high impact scientific journals both locally and internationally. The Department has put together a well-structured proposal for B.Sc Physiology Programme that is awaiting the approval of the relevant bodies of the University. There is an Echocardiography Unit of the Department that is currently domiciled in the University Health Centre. This Unit has provided and continued to provide diagnostic support to both staff and students of the University since 2014. Premium is given to quality, resourcefulness and innovation in the discharge of our mandate to University and the community at large.
The Department of Physiological Sciences started as the Department of Human Biology and Behavioural Sciences comprising the present day Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Department of Physiological Sciences in the then Faculty of Health Sciences. The Department of Physiological Sciences, was later created from the Department of Human Biology and Behavioural Sciences in 1977. In the Year 2010, the Department of Medical Pharmacology was carved out of the Department of Physiological Sciences.The philosophy of the Department is to be among the best Departments in the University whose products occupy leadership positions in the public and private health sectors of the Nigerian and global economy, and are capable of building strong links within and outside Nigeria.
Academic Portfolio
The Department teaches Human Physiology (CLI 230 and CLI 330) to Medical,Dental and Medical Rehabilitation students and also (CLI 219, CLI 220, CLI 221, and CLI 222) to Nursing students, both in the Physical and Online Distance Learning modes.
The Department also runs M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. Physiology Programmes in the following areas:
1 Blood and Cardiovascular physiology;
2 Cardiopulmonary physiology;
3 Renal and Gastrointestinal physiology;
4 Reproductive and Endocrine physiology;
5 Neurobehavioral physiology;
The Electrocardiography Unit of the Department is domiciled in the University Health Center where it has been providing excellent diagnostic services to staff, students and other members of the University community and its environs since the Year 2014.
Leadership Records
The following is the list of the Heads of the Department in chronological order up to date:
1. Prof. A. O. A. Durotoye 1977 – 1978
2. Prof. S. A. Grillo 1978 – 1981
3. Dr. P. C. Egbe 1981 – 1983
4. Dr. (Mrs) G. F. Daramola 1983 – 1984
5. Prof. F. Dosekun 1984 – 1985
6. Dr. E. O. Okediji 1985 – 1989
7. Dr. O. E. Ukponmwan 1989 – 1993
8. Dr, I. O. Adeoshun 1993 – 1997
9. Dr. (Mrs) G. F. Daramola 1997 – 2001
10. Prof. M. A. Durosinmi 2001 – 2002
11. Prof. R. A. Elegbe 2002 – 2004
12. Dr. B. I. Kukoyi 2004 – 2005
13. Prof. O. E. Ukponmwan 2005 – 2009
14. Dr. A. O. Ayoka 2009 – 2013
15. Dr. R. O. Akomolafe 2013 – 2015
16. Dr. O. Ogunlade 2015 – 2017
17. Dr. O. S. Akinsomisoye 2017 – 2021
18. Prof. A. O. Ayoka 2021 – 2025
19. Prof. R. O. Akomolafe 2025 – Date
Facilities and Laboratories
The Department of Physiological Sciences has the Physiology Laboratory MDL III. The Physiology Laboratoryis a practical learning environment where medical, dental, nursing medical rehabilitation and human nutrition and dietetics students study the functions of the human body with the use of the Lt 260 PowerLab through experiments, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The laboratory complements theoretical aspects of students’ training, allowing them to observe and measure physiological processes in real time. In the Physiology lab, students are trained to perform practical exercises such as measuring blood pressure, pulse rate, venous pressure, reflex responses, respiratory functions, and electrocardiography (ECG). These activities help students understand how different organs and systems, such as the cardiovascular, reproductive, nervous, and respiratory systems function and respond to various stimuli or conditions. The laboratory is equipped with equipment such as the PowerLab data acquisition systems, ECGmachines, microhematocrit centrifuge, sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes, UV spectrophotometer, spirometers, reflex hammers, bicycle ergometer and microscopes to mention a few. Under the supervision of competent instructors, students learn proper experimental techniques, data recording, and interpretation of physiological results. Beyond undergraduate teaching, the physiology laboratory also supports postgraduate training and research. Postgraduate students use the laboratory to conduct advanced experimental studies in different aspects of Physiology such as cardiovascular, metabolic physiology, neurophysiology, exercise physiology, just to mention a few. They are trained in the use of modern physiological equipment such as ELISA microplate reader and washer, bicycle ergometer (body fit magnet exercise cycle) to investigate complex biological processes. Above all, the Physiology laboratory plays an important role in developing practical skills, reinforcing theoretical knowledge, and training students to analyse normal and abnormal physiological responses, which is vital for careers in medicine and other health-related courses