Lately, the term "genomics" has become ubiquitous in many scientific articles. 
It is a rapidly growing aspect of the biomedical sciences that studies the 
genome. The human genome contains a torrent of information that gives clues 
about human origin, evolution, biological function, and diseases. In a bid to 
demystify the workings of the genome, the Human Genome Project (HGP) was 
initiated in 1990, with the chief goal of sequencing the approximately 3 billion 
nucleotide base pairs of the human DNA. Since its completion in 2003, the HGP 
has opened new avenues for the application of genomics in clinical practice. 
This review attempts to overview some milestone discoveries that paved way for 
the initiation of the HGP, remarkable revelations from the HGP, and how genomics 
is influencing a paradigm shift in routine clinical practice. It further 
highlights the challenges facing the implementation of genomic medicine, 
particularly in Africa. Possible solutions are also discussed.