Today we celebrate Professor Michael Simidele Odimayo — a distinguished medical scholar, public health advocate, and the Special Adviser on Health to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.
Professor Odimayo is a professor at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) and has been a driving force behind Ondo State’s recent health reforms. He previously served as Pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences at UNIMED and was a member of the Ondo State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 (2020–2022). His work spans virology, infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS research, and hospital infection control, with years of experience coordinating research and training programs across Nigeria.
Since his reappointment as Special Adviser on Health, he has been at the forefront of initiatives that are reshaping healthcare delivery in the state:
- Leading the state’s Hepatitis B Elimination Project, with targeted outreach in high-burden areas
- Overseeing the digitisation of primary healthcare facilities to improve data-driven care
- Championing the state’s Essential Medicines List and the renovation of over 120 primary health centres, plus progress on the 250-bed teaching hospitals
- Representing the Governor at the launch of the IMPACT Malaria project with IHVN and during 2025 African Vaccination Week, urging mothers to become immunisation advocates.
- He supervised the restructuring of the UNIMED Teaching Hospitals, which has made the state owned teaching hospital a benchmark for improved health care service delivery.
- He anchors the Ondo State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OD-SEMSAS) a state-level initiative launched in late 2025 to strengthen pre-hospital care and provide free, immediate emergency transport and treatment for the first 48 hours. This is an initiative of His Excellency Gov Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to reduce maternal/child mortality and trauma deaths.
Professor Simidele Odimayo is a prominent Ondo South Senatorial Aspirant in whom many of the political class have described as a distinguished individual with passion for human development, top notch in accessibility, a resilient and brilliant scholar. His political followers have also described Professor Odimayo as a source of inspiration and encouragement to them. They nicknamed him a human developer!
Colleagues, partners and healthcare professionals in Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Benue, Kwara, Rivers and Lagos states have described him as dedicated, visionary, and deeply committed to making quality healthcare accessible to the governments and residents of those states.
On your birthday, we wish you continued wisdom, strength, and good health as you continue to serve the people of Ondo State and Nigerian.May this new year bring you more impact, fulfillment, and joy.
Happy Birthday, Professor Simidele Odimayo!
E-signed:
Ben Ikuejamofo
Media Aide to Prof Simidele Odimayo
22nd March 2026.
