The University of Ibadan College of Medicine (CoM-UI) is a renowned institution known for its rich history of excellence and exceptional academic standards. It has been a yearly tradition of the college to produce world-class medical professionals, well-trained by accomplished professors and doctors, foremost in their respective specialties on both national and regional scales. In a move to mark the beginning of an exciting chapter, the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan has been pleased to announce the newly elected Provost, in the person of Professor Temidayo O. Ogundiran.
From Modest Roots to Medical Heights: The Humble Beginning of Professor Ogundiran
Born and raised in Nigeria, Professor Ogundiran began his journey to an academic pinnacle starting from a modest primary school before graduating as one of the two best students in the Department of Medicine in 1988. His journey was marked by notable achievements and an unwavering drive to make a name for himself and contribute earnestly in the world of science. His path to stardom was no walk in the park. Raised in humble circumstances, his early life was an uphill battle of financial hardships and relentless determination. Unlike his peers who had a smoother ride, Professor Ogundiran’s route to higher education was an arduous odyssey.
His education began in a primary school and went through a wringer of various educational institutions, including a modern school, secondary school, teacher training college, NCE, and polytechnic. Before gaining admission into the College of Medicine in 1983, he had taught for six years to save some money for school still that was barely enough to sustain him in school. As a medical student, he faced severe financial difficulties, often relying on his classmates to get by. From 1983 to 1988, the struggle was real yet no challenge was strong enough to keep him from reaching for the stars.
Professor Ogundiran earned his Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1988. He applied for a surgical training program, in General Surgery, at UCH, and became a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) in 1996. Alongside his academic and professional training in surgery, he further obtained his Master of Science (MSc) degree in clinical Oncology from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, which was followed by an extensive oncology fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, a leading institution in cancer treatment and research. He has also received professional training in Hong Kong, Kenya, and the USA.
He holds a fellowship from the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCS). In addition, He also obtained a Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Bioethics from the Joint Centre for Bioethics, Institute of Medical Science, University Of Toronto, Canada, showing he left no stone unturned.
A Scholar and Leader
Returning to Nigeria, he kicked off his illustrious academic career by working at the University of Ibadan as a lecturer and progressively rose to the rank of a professor in the Department of Surgery in 2014. He holds the record as the “third” person from the Department of Surgery, General Surgery unit to deliver the 526th University of Ibadan inaugural lecture which was held on June 8, 2018.
His interests are in Bioethics, Oncology, and Surgery. Today, he has published over 170 research papers, cementing his place among the leading cancer researchers globally. He has attended over 80 scientific conferences, at home and abroad, and has given numerous scientific presentations and lectures at conferences and marketplaces, respectively.
On top of that, he is a founding member of the Center for Bioethics and Research, Nigeria, which was previously known as the West African Bioethics (WAB) Training program. To this day, he wears the hat of the Academic Director of the center and is the first to take the helm as Head of Department for the postgraduate program established by the foundation at the University of Ibadan in 2007. The postgraduate program has since then grown into a department, the Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanities. It can be said that Professor Ogundiran took his leadership beyond the four walls of the classroom and the confinement of the research lab.
Professor Ogundiran’s contribution to the world of science and health has won him many scholarships, awards, recognition, and respect from within and outside the country. He played a key role in training over 20 General surgeons and supervised multiple postgraduate and fellowship research projects.
In 2018, He shared the spotlight as a co-winner of the 2018 Nigerian Academy of Science Gold Medal Prize in Life Science, and in 2019, he was honored as the distinguished WHO-Professor of Surgery, College of Medicine and Allied Health Science, University of Sierra Leone, Connaught Hospital, Sierra Leone, West Africa.
A New Chapter: A New Dawn
As the newly elected Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Ogundiran is called to not only uphold the sterling reputation of the College but to spread its wings on a global scale by serving as a beacon of hope and innovation.
The College and Stakeholders eagerly anticipate the positive changes and advancements that Professor Ogundiran’s leadership, extensive experience, and unwavering determination to excellence will bring during his tenure. His appointment heralds a new chapter of growth and excellence for the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
References
- The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. (n.d.). Professor Temidayo O. Ogundiran. Retrieved from: https://www.com.ui.edu.ng/index.php/prof-temidayo-o-ogundiran
- The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. (n.d.). Professor Temidayo O. Ogundiran: A Star is Born. Retrieved from: https://com.ui.edu.ng/index.php/professor-temidayo-o-ogundiran-a-star-is-born
- Center for Bioethics and Research. (n.d.). Temidayo O. Ogundiran, MBBS, MHSc, FWACS, FRCS, FACS. Retrieved from: https://bioethicscenter.net/user/ogundiran/
Ndidiamaka Okafor
