A shared purpose.
A lasting legacy.

The birth of the Nigerian Association of Dental Students (NADS) is closely related to the birth of dental training and the pioneer Dental Students Body in Nigeria.

In 1962, the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, began the training of medical students.

Four years later, in 1966, another milestone was reached with the commencement of the pioneer Dental School in Nigeria and black Africa, under the chairmanship of late Professor Fox Taylor in the Medical School, starting with 10 dental students.

At that time, very little was known by most Nigerians about the ramifications of the Dental Sciences in the country.

The pioneer dental students are listed as follows:

1. Dr. Orlando Adeniran Adeniji

2. Dr. Tajudeen Ayodele Kekere-Ekun

3. Dr. (Brig. Gen. Rtd) Benjamin Aissien

4. Prof. Stephen Abimbola Odusanya

5. Dr. Ebenezer Adetola Roberts

6. Dr. Godfrey Owumi Erebor

7. Dr. Olufadekemi Odunkunle

8. Dr. Adenaike Adeolu Deniga

9 & 10. Dr. Amaechi and Dr. Chinwuba (Did not graduate with the first eight due to the Biafra War but later completed their training)

Because very little was known about the various specialties in dental sciences, dental students felt the need to project the image of dentistry positively.

At that time, the Medical Students Association (MSA) comprised both medical and dental students. Dental students later found it necessary to establish a separate Dental Students Association while maintaining membership with MSA.

This was to promote dentistry and cater to the special needs of dental students.

In 1967, the medical school authorities formally inaugurated the Dental Students Body with Dr. Adeniran Adeniji as the pioneer head of the first 10 dental students.

Dr. Ade Adegbi was then President of the Medical Students Association. A reception was held after the formal programme.

One of the social highlights was the emergence of a dental student as President of the Zee Club, the biggest social club at the University of Lagos at the time.

This showed that although dental students were a small fraction of the university population, they were very active socially.

Dental students also featured prominently in sports.

• Ademiju Adeniji represented the University of Lagos in soccer and long jump.

• Ayodele Kekere-Ekun represented the University in soccer.

The University of Lagos represented Nigeria at the NUGA Games in Ibadan in 1967 and later at the West African University Games in Accra, where the team won a silver medal in soccer.

The pioneer dental graduates made significant contributions to society. Many served in academic and professional training institutions. Some became Deans and respected consultants in various dental specialties. Dental students were active academically, socially, and in sports, helping to maintain high standards and values.

With the growth of the Lagos Dental School and the establishment of other dental schools, the official national body of dental students became necessary.

The Nigerian Association of Dental Students was inaugurated on 4th May, 1974, under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof. Felix Dosunmu, then Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

After two unsuccessful attempts, the association was finally formed in 1974 through the efforts of a committed organizing committee. They worked tirelessly with encouragement from Dr. T. Taiwo, a former dental student and past president of the Medical Students Association. An interim committee was formed, headed by Dr. Akin Ajayi, alongside:

• Bola Sanni

• Dickson Umata

• Seyi Makanjola

• Lanre Shittu

• Eugene Ndimde

• Adebayo Adeyemi

The NADS Congress is the highest authority and decision-making body of the Association.

Functions include:

• Deciding on annual priorities

• Electing national officials

• Voting on organizational issues

• Scrutinizing committee activities

• Overseeing the Presidency

The Congress is constituted at least twice annually and is composed of delegates (maximum of 5) from all registered dental student associations. It is headed by a Chairman and Congress Secretary. The first NADS Congress was constituted in 1979 during the National Convention at the University of Lagos, College of Medicine.

Participating universities included:

• University of Lagos

• University of Ibadan

• University of Benin

• Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife)

1. Adoption of the first NADS Constitution

2. Only the National Body may bear the name “NADS”

3. Presidents/Representatives of DSAs automatically become Vice Presidents of the National Body

This structure remained until the 36th National Convention/Congress held from 4th to 7th December 2019 at the University of Benin.

• Leadership structure was modified

• NADS administration was reorganized

• Dr. Izebe Evbogame led the administration (2018/2019)

• Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu and 8 other schools participated

• Over 300 students were in attendance

Dr. Afolabi Oluwasegun Henry served as Congress Chairman.

• President

• Vice President (Academics)

• Vice President (Administration)

• Secretary-General

• Assistant Secretary-General

• Financial Secretary

• Treasurer

• Editor-in-Chief

• Public Relations Officers (1 & 2)

• CODEH Chairman (Dental Education and Health)

• Regional Heads:

• Southeast/Southsouth

• Southwest

• North

The pioneer executives of the Association were elected into various offices and subsequently amended in the constitution of the Association.

• Akinola Ajayi – President

• Dickson Umata – Vice President

• Lanre Shittu – General Secretary

• Abayomi Adegun (of blessed memory) – Exchange Officer

• Funke Makinde – Treasurer

• Seyi Makanjola – Publicity Secretary

• Adesola Ogunjobi – CODEH Chairman

2021, with NADS President granted media.

NADS has always maintained a good presence and interviews on many national TV and newspaper outlets, and with different dental associations across the world.

We are fully associated with NIMSA and NADSites participating in NADS Games.

We have strong relationships with the International Association of Dental Students (IADS), established in 1951 in Copenhagen. We are also one of the foundational members of the African Dental Students Association (AfroDSA), established in 2016 at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid, Spain.

Our decades of existence and activeness have earned NADS and her members huge recognition in the international community, with members elected into positions and recognized internationally.

• World Oral Health Day Celebrations

• 2nd Academic Summit

• Outreach to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps

• Outreach at Motor Parks in Abuja

• Emir’s Palace in Kano

• NADS Convention held in July

• Visitation to the Ooni’s Palace in Osun State

• Grand Dental Outreach

1. Dr. Osisioma Wisdom

NADS President 2016/2017

Pioneer Secretary General of AfroDSA

2. Dr. Khaleed Umar

Former Editor-in-Chief of AfroDSA

3. Okereke Wisdom Obumneme

NADS Vice President (Academics) 2019–2021

First Nigerian AfroDSA President (2022-2024)

4. Olamide Oduneye

NADS Editor-in-Chief 2019–2021

CODEH Chairman 2021/2022

First Nigerian Public Health and Prophylaxis Director of AfroDSA

5. Okereke Promise Udochukwu

NADS Exchange Officer 2021/2022

Associate Vice President of Finances, IADS - 2022/2023

6. Victor Somoye

Chairman, Ethics and Constitution, AfroDSA

NOMA sensitization started with a boot camp initiated by CODEH.

Efforts were led by past CODEH Chairmen.

NADS was invited to the National NOMA Day hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health.

A powerful presentation on NOMA was made by NADS in the presence of the Honourable Minister of Health and other dignitaries.

Headed by a member of the Executive Council.

• Volunteer dental services

• Community support programs

• Services for less privileged communities

• Collaboration with the Nigerian Dental Association

Headed by the Vice President (Academics).

Organizes:

• Symposiums

• Mentorship sessions

• Academic summits

• Research conferences

• National Quiz

Headed by the Editor-in-Chief.

• NADS publications

• Newsletters

• Journals

The committee has produced several publications.

1. Prof. Michael Ajayi - 1974/1975
2. Dr. Lanre Shittu - 1975/1976
3. Dr. Fola Maffo - 1976/1977
4. Dr. Ayodele Soyombo - 1997/1978
5. Prof. Olabode Ogunbanjo - 1978/1979
6. Dr. Sunday Akintoye - 1979/1980
7. Dr. Ilopeju - 1982
8. Col.(Dr.) David Imuse (Rtd) - 1982-1983
9. Rev. Dr.Emmanuel O.O.Amobi - 1983/1984
10. Prof. A O Fatusi - 1984 - Feb. 1987
11. Dr. E.Olutayo Delano - 1987/1988
12. Air Commodore (Dr.) Glenn Nkanang - 1989/1990
13. Dr. Okafor - 1990
14. Dr. Ikenna Isiekwe - 1998/1999
15. Dr. Ese Okugbaye - 2000/2001
16. Dr. Iguodala Mayowa - 2002/2003
17. Dr. Wale Oke - 2003/2004
18. Dr. Kolawole Ogbagbemiro - 2004/2005
19. Dr. Ekowmenhenhen Uyi Idah - 2005/2006
20. Dr. Davies Uthman Jaiyeola - 2009/2010
21. Dr. John Daniel - 2011/2012
22. Dr. Samuel Iwegbu - 2012/2013
23. Dr. Abu Dorcas - 2014/2015
24. Dr. Audu Ado - 2015/2016
25. Dr. Osisioma Wisdom - 2016/2017
26. Dr. Marshal Wali - 2017/2018
27. Dr. Izebe Evbogame - 2018/2019
28. Dr. Michael Adejumo - 2019/2022
29. Dr. Amano Joshua Chisom - 2021/2022
30. Dr. Usman Hamza Dauda - 2022/2023
31. David Uzor Uchechukwu - 2023/2024
32. Victory Ochuwa Omuera - 2024/2025 (Female, SS/SE Region)
33. Ibiloye Simbiat Ibilola - 2025/2026 (Female, Norhtern Region)