The Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide held its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Lecture today, November 20th, 2025, at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, between 11:00 AM and 1:50 PM.
The lecture themed ‘The Role of Medical Schools in Nigeria’s Evolving Landscape: Examining the Intersections of Policy, Practice, and Business of Medicine’ was delivered by the guest speaker, Dr Yele Aluko, a Health Industry Strategist, Board Adviser, and Former Chief Medical Officer of the Centre for Health Equity, EY Americas, USA. It came just after the opening remarks by the Chairman of the day, Prof. Olumade Adeuja, a Consultant Neurologist and former chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), UCH, Ibadan.
In attendance were other alumni, invited guests, and students from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences.
In his lecture, Dr Yele Aluko discussed the various issues plaguing Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector, from poor infrastructure to inefficient policies, inadequate funding, and brain drain. He examined the situation in both hospitals and medical colleges, proposing solutions via policy reform, practice transformation, and the business of medicine. His key recommendations included the creation and implementation of policies that address Nigeria’s root problems, ensuring accountable university governance and policy execution, reforming medical education for the future, expanding and retaining the health workforce, leveraging tech for research innovation, engaging the diaspora for renewal, and mobilising alumni for purposeful philanthropy. He highlighted that ICOMAA’s activities, which demonstrate giving back to the community, have enabled transformative changes in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. “Replicating this in the broader diaspora community”, he explained, “will help rebuild Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector.
Whilst discussing the ‘Japa’ phenomenon, Dr Yele Akulo, showed the disparity in remuneration among different countries, explaining that Nigerian doctors, being poorly paid, migrate to countries where they are fairly paid. He mentioned other push factors, including rising national insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and professional dissatisfaction. He further emphasised the role of medical colleges as catalysts for change, hence the need for improved student care.
Following the lecture were award presentations by Emeritus Prof. S. I. Omokhodion, President of ICOMAA Worldwide.
Speaking with attendees after the event, Chinenye from the BDS 2k25 class had the following to say: “He talked about how the relationship with the alumni of various medical schools is largely untapped and how that is a major way of improving the infrastructures in the schools. He also cited an example of a British trained Indian who went back to his country and built a successful Health facility which has grown over the years and contributed positively to the health system in India. He advised us that instead of ‘Japa’, we should ‘Japada’.“
The closing remarks were delivered by Prof. Olumade Adeuja, a consultant Neurologist at the University College Hospital, while Dr Shehu-Tijjani Shittu gave the vote of thanks. Following shortly were pictures of all dignitaries and invited guests present.
Ugor Benedict and Sunday Precious Nnamdi
