Dupe Ademola Popoola

University of Ilorin

Professor Dupe Ademola-Popoola is the Chairman and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Ilorin and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. A renowned Paediatric Ophthalmologist, she established the hospital’s Paediatric, Strabismus, and Pediatric Ocular Oncology Services. She holds Fellowships from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons (2001), with subspecialty training in Paediatric Ophthalmology (LV Prasad Eye Institute, India) and Ophthalmic Oncology (Eye and Laser World Centre, Egypt). A champion for child eye health, Professor Ademola-Popoola has led innovative national responses to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Retinoblastoma—from clinical care and research to policy and advocacy. She is a pioneer in task-shifting models, integrating ROP care into neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) by training and empowering NICU staff. She also initiated vision screening at immunization clinics by community health workers and developed the Teacher-LED Vision Screener (TELVIS)—a patented tool enabling early detection of vision problems in schools. Her work bridges clinical excellence, research, and health systems innovation. She has developed digital tools such as a web-searchable map of schools for children with special needs and advanced the use of telemedicine for equitable child eye care. Professor Ademola-Popoola is actively engaged in national and global leadership. She serves as a Global Advisor and Board Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In recognition of her impactful work, she was named the 2025 Victor Anomah Ngu Distinguished Lecturer by the West African College of Surgeons and the Global Visiting Professor for the David Paton Lecture at Wills Eye Hospital, USA. Her efforts continue to transform paediatric eye care through advocacy, innovation, and inclusive system design—ensuring that children, even in the most underserved settings, receive timely, life-changing eye care