Adewale Akinsola

Adewale Akinsola

Pioneer Award: ISN Africa region

The ISN Pioneer Awards honor the ‘unsung heroes’ of nephrology: doctors who have made extraordinary efforts to advance nephrology in a specific country or region. Without their dedication, nephrology would be far behind its current state in their home country.

Emeritus Professor Adewale Akinsola was born in 1946 in Iwo, Nigeria, to parents who were persevering traders. He obtained his medical training at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

He completed his residency at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, under Emeritus Professor O Akinkugbe, and at Guy’s Hospital in London, UK. He joined Obafemi Awolowo University as faculty in 1982 and established a kidney care and training program there.

 The program supported the development of kidney care services in several institutions nationwide, including a kidney transplant program. Despite infrastructural challenges, the first transplant was carried out in 2002. The program went on to support other centers in the country to develop kidney transplant programs. In addition, an endowment for fellowship in nephrology was instituted to support research.

Professor Akinsola’s trainees were mentored in clinical research methodologies, generating over 100 pioneering, impactful publications. He was a pioneer member of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, serving as president from 1996-1998.

Professor Akinsola promoted preventive nephrology. His research interests are the etiopathogenesis of glomerulonephritis and CKD, specifically its burden, control, and prevention. He is thankful to have a lovely and supportive family.

Professor Akinsola cites Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,” as the inspiration behind his pioneering initiatives.