The Department of Physiology was established in 1962.  It is one of the founding Departments of the University and the Medical School now College of Medicine of the University of Lagos.  It was headed by the legendary Professor Felix Dosekun (Papa Doe) who was also the Vice-Dean of the Medical School.The Department of Physiological Sciences gave birth to various other units e.g. Physiological Chemistry which later became Biochemistry (1973), Pharmacology, Microbiology and the Animal House.

The Department which started with teaching only Medical Students has extended its teaching to Physiology, Dental, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Engineering Students and Human Kinetics, in addition to continuing to run Physiology courses for Medical and Dental Students.

The B. Sc Programme in Physiology was established in the later nineteen sixties, as an intercalated course for medical students.  It became a full B.Sc. (Hons.) Physiology Programme in 1975.  The Department now runs M. Sc, M. Phil and Ph. D programmes in Physiology.

At inception, the Department was headed by the Late Professor Felix Dosekun, First Emeritus Professor in University of Lagos and Physiology.  Professor Dosekun, was Vice Dean and 2nd Provost of the College of Medicine.  Past Head of the Department include Professor (Mrs.) Oyin Elebute, Professor G.O. Ojo, Professor A. O. Sofola, Professor S. A. Adigun, Professor O. A. Adegoke, Professor S. I. Jaja, Professor C. N. Anigbogu, Professor, B. O. Iranloye who is the current Head of Department.  The Department was chosen by the NUC as the model for Physiology programme in the entire country.

The Department has produced many notable Physiologists, who have occupied various high offices in the University and outside. It has produced 3 Deans of Schools, 2 Provosts, 2 Deputy Vice Chancellors and 2 Acting Vice-Chancellors.  The Department has won many Awards within and outside the University.  Many staff have won International Awards, Fellowships and Scholarships e.g. IUPS Fellowships, Fogarty, Young Investigators ETF AST & D and USMLE Fellowships.  Many research grants and equipment endowments have been attracted by members of staff of the department.  The department provides services and resource staff to numerous professional bodies including the National Postgraduate Medical College, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Science Laboratory Technology.

The Department currently has 10 Academic Staff, 6 Technologist, 2 Laboratory Assistant Supervisors and 3 Administrative Staff.