This fellow is deceased. The information provided are based on historical records and may not reflect recent developments.
Professor Essien was a distinguished hematologist, medical researcher, educator, and academic leader whose contributions to hematology and medical science significantly advanced healthcare and research in Nigeria and beyond.
He began his academic career in 1970 as a Lecturer and Consultant Hematologist at the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Through his dedication to teaching, clinical practice, and research, he rose through the academic ranks and was appointed Professor at the same institution in 1977.
Professor Essien conducted pioneering research on hemophilic disorders, with particular emphasis on Factor VIII deficiency among Nigerian and African populations. His work contributed substantially to the understanding, diagnosis, and management of bleeding disorders in Africa and helped expand knowledge of hematological diseases within populations that had previously received limited scientific attention.
In addition to his research achievements, he held several important academic and administrative positions. He served as Head of the Department of Hematology at the University of Ibadan from 1978 to 1981 and as Sub-Dean from 1985 to 1988. He later served as Director of the National Institute for Medical Research in Lagos, Nigeria, from 1989 to 1992, where he provided leadership in advancing biomedical and public health research.
Professor Essien was widely respected within the scientific and medical communities. He was a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and served as a member of the World Health Organization Expert Panel on Blood. He was also a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was among the founding members of the Association of Pathologists of Nigeria, contributing to the growth and professionalization of pathology and laboratory medicine in the country.
A prolific scholar, Professor Essien authored more than 100 scientific publications and contributed to 13 books. His research, publications, and mentorship helped shape generations of medical practitioners, researchers, and academics.
Through his scholarship, leadership, and commitment to improving human health, Professor Essien left a lasting legacy in hematology, medical education, and scientific research in Africa and around the world.
