AVMS Public Lecture Hosts World Veterinary Association President Dr Tunde Nasir and Other distinguished guests on Telemedicine and One Health

The 2026 Public Lecture began at 11:43 a.m. with the Master of Ceremonies, Solesi Oluwatomisi, welcoming the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Olugasa, to deliver the welcome address.

Dignitaries called to the high table included Dr. Tunde Nasir, President of the World Veterinary Association; Dr. Bala Mohammed, CEO of Blue Blood Veterinary Clinic; a representative of VetKonnect; Sub-Dean (Undergraduate) Dr. Ọlayinka Anifowose; Dr. Tobiloba Arẹmu; Sub-Dean (Postgraduate) Dr. Igado; and Sub-Dean (Clinics) Dr. Adeaga.

Odunaike Faruk, President of the Association of Veterinary Students, University of Ibadan, opened the event by noting that veterinary medicine is moving into the digital age, and that the lecture was designed to broaden students' perspectives beyond the classroom.

DVM II student Esther Fasogba delivered the citation for Dr. Tunde Nasir, highlighting his accomplishments on the world stage before he took the podium. Dr. Nasir spoke about his history in student union politics, urging students to take pride in their profession as one of the world's leading fields. He called on the school to raise admission cut-off marks and adopt other measures affirming that veterinarians are not "second" to their counterparts in human medicine.

Turning to the day's theme, "Future Veterinarians in a Digital Age: Telemedicine and One Health," Dr. Nasir argued that while the profession is steadily digitizing, technology cannot replace practitioners themselves, a digital tool, he said, cannot conduct a triage case, though telemedicine can support planning for future cases. He described the future veterinarian as a data collector, communicator, prescriber, and digitally literate professional, and urged schools to incorporate AI and One Health training into their curricula. He also expressed disappointment at the limited time allotted for his lecture.

DVM II student Favour Oyiana then read the citation for Dr. Bala Mohammed, CEO of Blue Blood Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Mohammed announced a mentorship program for 300- and 600-level students before discussing the advantages and drawbacks of telemedicine, stressing that the profession's future depends on digital adoption, particularly given the rise of new disease patterns. He cautioned students against confrontations with clients over telemedicine platforms, warning that such disputes could cost them credibility, and advised that if students use telemedicine, it should primarily be to seek guidance from senior colleagues. He also warned students to be mindful of their social media conduct, illustrating the point with an example from his own experience, and highlighted new digital imaging tools, including a federal government initiative to supply an AI-powered, solar-powered X-ray machine to the University of Ibadan's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Adeaga joined the high table partway through this address and was formally recognized by the Master of Ceremonies. Awards were subsequently presented to both guest speakers.

DVM III student Testimony Ojo read the citation for Dr. Terese, founder of VetKonnect, who was represented by Dr. Abiodun. Dr. Abiodun, a former national president of the International Veterinary Students' Association, encouraged veterinarians to stand tall alongside colleagues in human medicine. He spoke on GIS, spatial mapping, data analytics, and digital literacy as essential tools for future veterinarians, while cautioning that innovation must operate within regulatory compliance. He outlined emerging opportunities in digital diagnostics and telemedicine; Dr. Nasir added a note on the growing use of smart collars as a digital veterinary tool.

A representative from the Ibadan Peace Club of Nigeria closed out the lecture segment with reflections on mental health, stressing that good veterinary practice depends on wellbeing, and spoke on meditation as a tool for building environmental awareness and calming the mind.

Dr. Adeaga delivered the vote of thanks to close the event, after which a representative of sponsor LIFA addressed the students, reaffirming the organization's continued partnership with the University of Ibadan, bringing the 2026 Public Lecture to a close.