The International Association for Dental  Research, Nigerian Division (IADR￾NGR), was established in 2002 under the visionary leadership of Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, often referred to as the “father” of the IADR-NGR. He served as its inaugural President. Joining him as founding members were esteemed academics including Professors Michael A. Ojo, Dr Patricia Tokunbo Akeredolu, Dr C.I Udoye, Dr (Mrs) Wunmi Fatusi, Professor Sonny O. Jeboda, Dr (Mrs) Juliana Taiwo, Dr E.C Otoh, Dr Vincent Ugboko and Dr Adeleke Oginni. The Nigerian Section was inaugurated on 26th of June 2002 during the First Annual Scientific conference in Ile Ife. It is the first and till now the only division of the IADR in the West African region. The IADR Board gave formal recognition to the Nigerian Section at the 81st General session held in Goteborg, Sweden in June 2003. The Section was changed to Division after the divisional status was approved for us at the  82nd IADR Congress held in March 2004 at Honolulu, USA. The first Scientific conference took place at the Conference center of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile - Ife 25th -28th June 2002 under the Chairmanship of Chief Dr Sonny Kuku, Managing Director, Eko Hospital, Lagos Nigeria.The Nigerian Division hosted the Third Africa and Middle East Regional (AMER) conference in Abuja, Nigeria in September 2011 and it was a huge success. It was themed “Building capacity for improved oral health”. The first National Unilever Hatton competition held at this meeting and winners represented Nigeria for the first time in 2012 in Iguacu falls, Brazil for the competition. This feat was made possible by the relentless and hard working executive led by Prof Wunmi Fatusi. The global IADR team to the AMER meeting in Abuja was led by the then President of IADR Dr Maria Fidela de Lima Navarro (the 87th President of the IADR) and Chief Executive Officer of the IADR, Dr Christopher Fox both of them set their feet on Nigerian soil for the first time ever because of AMER meeting which took place in Abuja.