As the field of oral pathology expands in Africa, currently emerging omics-based molecular techniques are, in principle, poised to improve the oral disease diagnosis and treatment [1–4]. Despite the vast ground covered by the advances in molecular and omics-based technologies in the developed world, there remains a gap in the uptake and application of these methods in developing countries due to existing militating factors. In order for Africa not be left behind in all these highly beneficial technologies, innovation and maximization of the existing infrastructure is highly required. A sine qua non to research and innovative discoveries is good record keeping; which remains sub-optimally practiced in most developing economies [5–9]. For example, it has been historically recorded that two previous presidents of the United States of America (Ulysses Simpson Grant & Stephen Grover Cleveland) were diagnosed with oral cancer [10, 11]; however such information is lacking on how many African presidents have had oral cancer in the past. In fact, history has it that some celebrities like Sigmund Freud, the father of modern psycho-analysis; Giacomo Puccini, a famous opera composer; and Sammy Davis Jr., a leading entertainer, died of head and neck cancer .