Medical experts and researchers have called for increased efforts to prevent, treat and rehabilitate stroke patients, warning that the disease remains a major public health challenge across Africa.

The call was made on Monday during the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN)-ABUAD Advanced School on Stroke Neurochemistry and Cerebrovascular Resilience, hosted by Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).

The programme, themed “Stroke Neurochemistry and Neurovascular Resilience,” is scheduled to hold from August 3 to 11, 2026.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, ABUAD Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, described stroke as one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability, stressing the need for sustained research, multidisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based interventions to tackle the condition.

She said the advanced school was designed to bring together scientists, clinicians and young researchers to examine the biological mechanisms of cerebrovascular diseases and explore innovative approaches to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Olarinde reaffirmed the university’s commitment to advancing scientific research and strengthening international partnerships, noting that the collaboration with the International Society for Neurochemistry would promote knowledge sharing and discoveries with global impact.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Rufus Akinyemi of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, urged governments, researchers and health stakeholders to intensify efforts to reduce the growing burden of stroke in Africa through improved prevention and early intervention.

He identified hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and obesity as major cardiovascular risk factors that require effective detection, management and control to reduce stroke cases across the continent.

Akinyemi also encouraged healthy lifestyle choices, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and stronger social engagement, while emphasising the importance of clean environments and public policies that support brain health.

He called for greater collaboration among governments, industry and researchers to address stroke and dementia through coordinated policy and healthcare interventions.

Other speakers, including Prof. Amadi Ihunwo of the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and Prof. Maria Rosa Chitolina of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, described the programme as an important platform for advancing neuroscience research.

They noted that stroke remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world, adding that initiatives such as the ISN-ABUAD Advanced School would strengthen research capacity and promote scientific collaboration in the field of neurochemistry.