Marufat Oluyemisi
Odetunde PT, Ph.D.

Reader

Department of Medical Rehabilitation

Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Dr. Marufat Oluyemisi Odetunde

About

Dr. Marufat Oluyemisi Odetunde is a Reader in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria. She is a licensed Physiotherapist, researcher, and educator with over 19 years of clinical experience and seven years of academic and research experience. Her expertise lies in the rehabilitation of adults with long-term physical disabilities, particularly individuals recovering from stroke and other chronic neurological conditions.

Dr. Odetunde’s research focuses on health outcomes assessment, prevention, and rehabilitation of neurological conditions using context-specific, evidence-based practice and digital health interventions such as tele-physiotherapy. She has a special interest in evaluating the health-related quality of life of patients with stroke and other neurological disorders through cross-cultural adaptation, translation, and validation of outcome measures. Her secondary research interests explore the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of health professionals, students, and community members regarding various health conditions and stroke risk factors.

She holds M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in Physiotherapy, with extensive experience in neurological rehabilitation and clinical leadership. Over the years, she has held several key administrative and academic roles at OAU and the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex, including Chief Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Postgraduate Coordinator, and Acting Head of Department. These positions have strengthened her expertise in academic management, research supervision, and leadership.

Dr. Odetunde has served as Principal Investigator on multiple research projects and has developed strong competencies in research design, execution, and collaboration. She has supervised more than 60 undergraduate dissertations and one doctoral thesis, and currently supervises two master’s degree students. Her research output includes 32 publications in reputable, peer-reviewed international journals indexed in Scopus and other recognized scholarly databases.

She is a Fellow of the African Research Excellence Fund (AREF), a recipient of the Women in Research Essential Grant Writing Skills Award (2021), and part of the AREF Research Development Fellowship 2023/2024 cohort. Through this fellowship, she completed a six-month research capacity-building placement at Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom (November 2024 – May 2025), focusing on addressing health challenges specific to Africa.

Currently, Dr. Odetunde leads a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) National Research Fund (2024) project titled “Development, Feasibility Testing and Implementation of a Context and Culturally Sensitive Home-Exercise Mobile Health Application for Nigerian Stroke Survivors.” She also serves as Co-Investigator on projects including “Analysis of Sleep Quality and Quantity among Undergraduates” and “Development and Pilot-Testing of a Clinical Decision Support System for Musculoskeletal Conditions.”

Beyond academia, she pioneers community and digital health initiatives to reduce the stroke burden in Nigeria. She produced a bilingual (English–Yoruba) two-hour radio drama on stroke prevention, broadcast nationwide on over 40 Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria stations, and launched a WhatsApp-based digital support network connecting stroke survivors, caregivers, and professionals across six hospitals.

Dr. Odetunde actively teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy students. She is an engaged member of several professional associations, including the Society for the Study of Pain in Nigeria, African Stroke Organization (affiliate of the World Stroke Organization), International Society for Quality of Life Research, and the Association of Academic and Clinical Physiotherapists of Nigeria.

She has presented her research at numerous national and international scientific conferences, including those of the above professional bodies between 2017 and 2025. Her most recent presentations were at the World Physiotherapy Congress in Tokyo, Japan (29–31 May 2025) and the European Stroke Organization Conference in Helsinki, Finland (21–23 May 2025).

Through her teaching, research, and clinical leadership, Dr. Marufat Oluyemisi Odetunde continues to advance the field of neurological rehabilitation and digital health in Africa, contributing to the development of contextually relevant, evidence-based interventions that improve the lives of individuals with neurological conditions.

Academic Qualifications

Ph.D. Physiotherapy (Neuro-Physiotherapy), 2016

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

M.Phil. Physiotherapy, 2008

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

M.Sc. Physiotherapy, 2004

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

B.Sc. Physiotherapy, 2000

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Certificate in Implementation Science, 2025

University College London, UK

Certificate in Digital Health, 2025

Imperial College London, UK

Research Interests

  • Neurological and Stroke Rehabilitation
  • Health Outcomes Assessment and Quality of Life Research
  • Digital Health, Tele-physiotherapy, and Mobile Health Applications
  • Community Reintegration of Stroke Survivors
  • Climate and Disability Justice in Health Research

Professional Status

  • Licensed Physiotherapist (Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria)
  • Fellow, Ife Institute of Advanced Studies
  • Fellow, African Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
  • Reader, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, OAU
  • Over 25 years of professional experience in Physiotherapy

Professional Profiles

Neurological and Stroke Rehabilitation Health Outcomes Assessment Digital Health & Tele-Physiotherapy Culturally Adapted Health Tools Quality of Life Research Mobile Health & mHealth Innovation Community Reintegration Disability & Climate Justice

Research Publications

Determinants of Health Outcomes of Stroke Survivors in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Odetunde M., Gebrye T., Mbada C., Niyi-Odumosu F., Fatoye F.

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35, 108569 (2026)

DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2026.108569

A systematic review of determinants of psychosocial health outcomes of stroke survivors in low- and middle-income countries

Odetunde M.O., Gebrye T., Mbada C., Niyi-Odumosu F., Fatoye F.

Discover Public Health, 23(1), 900 (2026)

Cost-effectiveness of artificial intelligence interventions for musculoskeletal disorders of the spine: a systematic review

Gebrye T., Mbada C., Niyi-Odumosu F., Fatoye C., Odetunde M., Hakimi Z., Useh U., Fatoye F.

Rheumatology International, 46(6), 107 (2026)

Feasibility Testing of Context-Specific Home-Based Action-Observation-Therapy on Upper Limb Functions Among Nigerian Stroke Survivors

Olaoye O.A., Odetunde M.O., Adejumobi A.S., Abiola O.E., Oshomoji O.I.

Rehabilitation Science, 11(2), 9-36 (2026)

Physical activity, fatigue severity and health-related quality of life of community-dwelling stroke survivors: A cross-sectional study

Odetunde M.O., Makinde A.F., Jimoh O.M., Mbada C.E., Niyi-Odumosu F., Fatoye F.F.

Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy, 30(9) (2025)

DOI: 10.1186/s43161-025-00267-1

Effects of very early exercise on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with ischaemic stroke — a randomized controlled trial

Ademoyegun A.B., Awotidebe T.O., Odetunde M.O., Inaolaji S.O., Bakare S.O., Azeez F.W., Olayemi O.

BMC Neurology, 25(121) (2025)

DOI: 10.1186/s12883-025-04132-5

Showing 6 of 0 publications

Grants & Fellowships

Principal Investigator 2023 – present · Ongoing

Development, Feasibility Testing and Implementation of a Context and Culturally Sensitive Home-Exercise Mobile Health Application for Nigerian Stroke Survivors

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) National Research Fund

₦24,861,736

Principal Investigator 2023 – 2025

Building Capacity and Fostering Collaborative Approaches to Feasibility and Implementation Research in Community Re-integration of Stroke Survivors in Nigeria

African Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Researcher Development Fellowship — with Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

£36,000

Co-Investigator 2022 – 2023 · Ongoing

Development and Pilot-Testing of a Clinical Decision Support System for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Health Research and Knowledge Exchange Funding Grant, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

£5,000

Co-Investigator 2022 · Completed

Analysis of Sleep Quality and Quantity among Male Undergraduate Students Using Orthopaedic Mattresses

Mouka Nigeria Limited — Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

₦900,000

Fellowships & Training

  • AREF Research Development Fellowship (2023/2024 cohort) — six-month research capacity-building placement at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK (Nov 2024 – May 2025)
  • Fellowship, Ife Institute of Advanced Studies (2024)
  • AREF Women in Research: Essential Grant Writing Skills Fellowship Award (2021)
  • Visiting Clinical Physiotherapist, Edmond and Lily Safra Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Centre, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel-Hashomer, Israel — member of the OAUTHC open-heart surgical team (2018)

Prizes & Distinctions

  • Tinuke Oshinubi Prize in Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2000)
  • Ajike Ajao Prize in Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2000)

Research Impact & Engagement

Dr. Odetunde translates research into practical, culturally grounded tools that reach stroke survivors, caregivers, and communities well beyond the clinic.

40+

national radio stations broadcast her stroke-prevention drama

6

hospitals connected through her digital support network

125%

growth in network engagement within three months

Mobile Health Exercise Application

Context- and culturally sensitive home-exercise app for Nigerian stroke survivors, delivered in Hausa and Yoruba.

Stroke Prevention Audio Drama

Evidence-based bilingual (English–Yoruba) radio drama, broadcast nationwide on Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria stations and regionally on Orisun FM.

Digital Support Network

WhatsApp-based network connecting stroke survivors, caregivers, and professionals across six hospitals with education, rehabilitation tools, and professional support.

Video Home-Based Stroke Exercises

Tele-rehabilitation exercise videos for stroke survivors using Yoruba as the language of instruction, with proven feasibility.

Audiovisual Stroke Prevention Education Tool

Mobile-health educational package for secondary stroke prevention among stroke survivors, delivered in Yoruba.

Neck-Control Exercise Video for Children with CP

Home-based exercise education video on neck control for Nigerian children with cerebral palsy, validated for usability and effectiveness.

Listen & Watch

Experience these tools first-hand — listen to the stroke-prevention radio drama and watch the rehabilitation exercise videos on the media page.

Explore Media & Resources

Current Research Activities

  • Climate justice awareness among persons with physical disabilities in southwest Nigeria
  • Feasibility testing of a community re-integration guideline for stroke survivors in Nigeria
  • Clinical decision support systems for musculoskeletal conditions and for peripheral nerve injuries of the upper and lower limbs
  • Video home-based exercise and movement strategies for patients with Parkinson’s disease
  • Implementation of the context- and culturally sensitive home-exercise mobile health application for Nigerian stroke survivors

Journal Peer Review

Reviewer for international peer-reviewed journals, including:

  • Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
  • BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
  • Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
  • Open Journal of Medical Research

Teaching

Dr. Odetunde has been teaching for over seven years at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, covering a wide range of courses in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and medical rehabilitation.

MRH 301

Kinesiology in Medical Rehabilitation

MRH 302

Pathokinesiology in Medical Rehabilitation

MRH 303

Medical Conditions in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

MRH 304

Surgical Conditions in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

MRH 401

Exercise Therapy and Remedial Gymnastics I

MRH 414

Exercise Therapy and Remedial Gymnastics II

MRH 409

Clinical Work in Physiotherapy (400 Level)

MRH 501

Clinical Work in Physiotherapy (500 Level)

MRH 504

Dissertation

MRH 705

Paediatric Physiotherapy

MRH 716

Clinical Procedures for Improvement of Motor Control

MRH 717

Neurologic Physiotherapy

MRH 815

Foundations of Motor Control

Student Supervision

Research Supervision:

  • • 60+ undergraduate supervisions (8 ongoing)
  • • 1 Ph.D. thesis (completed)
  • • 2 M.Sc. research projects (ongoing)

Role:

  • • Postgraduate Coordinator (2023-2024)
  • • BMR Program Coordinator (2021-2022)
  • • 500 Level Part Adviser (2019-present)

Conferences & Presentations

World Physiotherapy Congress 2025

May 29–31, 2025

Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan

11th European Stroke Organisation Conference

May 21–23, 2025

Helsinki, Finland

Ife Institute of Advanced Studies – Ife Summer Institute: Building Communities of Practice

July 22 – August 2, 2024

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria

African Stroke Organization Conference and World Federation of Neurological Rehabilitation (Hybrid)

October 30 – November 2, 2023

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

10th Annual Faculty Week – Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, OAU

April 17–19, 2023

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Ife Institute of Advanced Studies – Decolonizing Science Research: The ‘Why’ and ‘How’

November 21–25, 2023

Virtual

Artificial Intelligence for Females in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Workshop

November 20–23, 2022

Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria

Conference of the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation (Africa Region) and African Stroke Organization

November 2–3, 2022

Virtual

World Stroke Congress 14th Annual Conference

October 26–29, 2022

Singapore

15th International Multi-Conference on ICT Applications

October 23–26, 2022

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria

African Research Excellence Fund Women in Research Leadership Programme

August – December 2022

Virtual

Obtaining Research Funding (Tricks of the Trade)

September 21, 2022

Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Global Perspectives on Medicine, Rehabilitation and Robotics Webinar Series – Robotics for Early Motor Intervention

September 21, 2022

Virtual

Global Perspectives on Medicine, Rehabilitation and Robotics Webinar Series – Robotics for Assisted Gait

October 19, 2022

Virtual

National Health Research Ethics Committee – Contemporary Issues in Health Research Ethics

April 6–7, 2022

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

African Research Excellence Fund Women in Research Essential Grant Writing Skills Workshop

September 13–17 & October 18–20, 2021

Virtual

African Stroke Organization 1st Inaugural Conference

November 3–4, 2021

Virtual

World Stroke Congress 13th Annual Conference

October 28–29, 2021

Virtual

Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria 5th Scientific Conference

October 19–22, 2021

Lagos, Nigeria

4th Scientific / 1st Virtual Conference of Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria

November 13–14, 2020

Virtual

International Society of Quality of Life 27th Annual Conference

October 12–20, 2020

Virtual

Mentoring Orientation Workshop

January 21–22, 2020

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Promoting Excellence in Teaching (PET) Training Programme

September 2–11, 2019

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria

3rd Scientific Conference and AGM – Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria

October 14–19, 2019

Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Nigerian Cardiac Society 47th Annual General and Scientific Meeting

September 18–22, 2018

Kano, Nigeria

1st Annual Scientific Conference – Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria

October 18–21, 2017

Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Continuous Professional Development Programme – MRTBN & NSP (Osun State Chapter)

September 23–24, 2014

Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Publication Oriented Clinical Practice Workshop – Disseminating Research Findings from Clinical Practice

October 29, 2013

Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

53rd Annual Scientific Conference – Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy

October 29 – November 2, 2013

Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Contact

Office Address

Department of Medical Rehabilitation
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
Obafemi Awolowo University
Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria