Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi (12 July 1923 – 19 January 2023) stands as a foundational figure in Nigerian medicine. Celebrated as the country’s first Professor of Medicine and widely honoured as the “Father of Postgraduate Medical Education in Nigeria,” his life’s work shaped the nation’s healthcare system and set standards for medical training across Africa.
Early Life and Medical Training
Born in Sagamu, Ogun State, Ogunlesi attended the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, before travelling to Britain in the 1940s to study medicine.
He trained at the University of London’s medical school and qualified as a physician in 1950, earning further postgraduate credentials in the United Kingdom.
His professional excellence was recognized with fellowships of both the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, two of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions.
Building Modern Medical Education in Nigeria
On his return home, Ogunlesi joined the newly established University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where in 1961 he became the first Nigerian Head of the Department of Medicine—and the nation’s first Professor of Medicine. From this position he transformed medical training, introducing rigorous clinical standards and nurturing generations of doctors who would lead Nigerian medicine in subsequent decades.
He later rose to become Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, underscoring his lifelong dedication to academic medicine and institution-building.
National Leadership and Public Health Vision
Ogunlesi’s influence extended beyond the university. He became the founding President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), which remains the country’s apex body for training medical specialists. For this achievement he is widely remembered as the “Father of Postgraduate
Equally visionary was his establishment of the Ibarapa Community Health Project in Oyo State, a pioneering model of primary healthcare and community-based medical education.
The project demonstrated how doctors could work hand-in-hand with local communities and became a template for similar initiatives across Africa.
Ogunlesi also served as an adviser to international health bodies, including the World Health Organization, bringing Nigeria’s medical perspectives to the global stage.
Legacy and Passing
Professor Ogunlesi lived to the remarkable age of 99, passing away on 19 January 2023. His century-spanning life left a lasting imprint on Nigerian medicine: from undergraduate and postgraduate medical education to rural health innovation and global health policy.
Today, every generation of Nigerian doctors trained under the NPMCN and inspired by the Ibarapa model stands as a testament to his vision of accessible, community-focused, and academically rigorous healthcare.
Key Positions & Achievements
First Nigerian Professor of Medicine
First Head, Department of Medicine, UCH Ibadan (1961)
Emeritus Professor, University of Ibadan
Founding President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria
Founder, Ibarapa Community Health Project
Fellow, Royal College of Physicians (London & Edinburgh)
Adviser to the World Health Organization
Sources
National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria archives
The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.
The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota.
He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.
NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.
In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.
Mohammed urged motorists to be cautious of fatigue and possible dehydration during the fasting periods, and ensure that they take hours of rest before returning to the steering.
He also warned motorists against over speeding and wrongful overtaking, which could lead to tragedy, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all safety rules while on the road.
“We are appealing to motorists, especially Muslims and Christians who are fasting, to always observe the rest after every four hours of driving, to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
“Also, all motorists are enjoined to drive to stay alive; Wishing all safer roads and fuller life.” he said.
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye has disclosed that the Nigerian Tiktoker, simply identified as Mirable, has been admitted to a State-owned health facility, and is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention.
Adeleye added that an investigation had begun and the survivor is presently receiving psychosocial support, and is responding positively to medical treatment.
The commissioner stated this on Thursday night shortly after visiting the survivor at the health facility, in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the Medical Director of the facility.
According to her, the visit was aimed at assessing the survivor’s condition and ensuring that appropriate medical and welfare interventions were promptly administered.
The Commissioner praised the personnel at the State-owned medical facility and the State Ministry of Justice for their quick response, as well as the Nigeria Police Force and Ogun State Police Command for their rapid and timely action as soon as the case was transferred to the State.
“This structured approach is intended to protect the survivor’s welfare while guaranteeing that investigations are conducted professionally, thoroughly, and strictly on the basis of verifiable evidence”, Adeleye said.
She added that detailed examinations and all required clinical procedures are being carried out in line with established standards for managing cases of alleged sexual assault, while the security agency is carrying out their investigation simultaneously.
“The welfare, dignity, and safety of every survivor remains our utmost priority. The Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that “while we stand firmly with survivors, we are equally guided by due process.
“Investigations must be evidence-based, transparent, and fair to all parties involved, even as whosoever is found wanting would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
She urged residents to steer clear of speculative narratives or sensational commentary that could compromise due process while assuring them that the State Government would get to the bottom of the issue to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
Meanwhile, she assured members of the public that further updates would be communicated at the appropriate time as credible findings emerge from ongoing investigations.
Nigerian TikToker, known simply as Mirabel has finally opened up on the allegation of rape she earlier raised in a viral video.
It was recalls that the content creator, with the username @mirab351 had, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man at her residence in Ogun State.
She claimed that the alleged rapist inflicted an injury on her privates with a blade.
Her story generated reactions across social media, causing the Nigeria Police to swing into action.
Some netizens, however, expressed scepticism on the factuality of the allegation, stating that the stories were not adding up.
But the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said on Thursday that the command was investigating the matter.
However, Mirabel, who opened up to Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, VDM said she had been into drugs and could be hallucinating.
