Lifestyle
Dr Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara: The Physician Who Fought Disease and Superstition in Colonial Nigeria
How a visionary doctor from Lagos transformed public health and modern medicine in early 20th-century Nigeria
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Dr Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara (1861–1935) was one of Nigeria’s earliest Western-trained physicians. Renowned for his campaign against smallpox and his efforts to improve public sanitation, Sapara laid the foundations for modern public health in Lagos during the colonial era.
A Pioneer of Nigerian Medicine
The image shows Dr Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara (1861–1935) — a pioneering Nigerian physician, public health reformer, and one of the most influential figures in early colonial medicine. His work bridged the worlds of traditional Yoruba culture and Western scientific practice, earning him lasting recognition as a man who devoted his life to fighting disease, ignorance, and unsanitary living conditions.
Born Alexander Johnson Williams in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to Yoruba parents, Sapara’s early life was shaped by a blend of Western education and African heritage. Later in life, he would reclaim his cultural identity by adopting the name Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara, symbolising his deep pride in his Yoruba roots.
Education and Early Career
Sapara pursued medical studies at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London and qualified as a doctor in the late 19th century. His education reflected the growing class of African professionals trained in Europe during the colonial period, returning home with new ideas for improving local health systems.
After completing his studies, Sapara returned to West Africa and joined the colonial medical service in Lagos Colony in 1896 as an Assistant Colonial Surgeon. At the time, Lagos — then a bustling port city — was plagued by poor sanitation, overcrowded slums, and recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases such as smallpox, malaria, and yellow fever.
Fighting Disease and Improving Public Health
Dr Sapara’s tenure in the colonial service lasted over three decades, from 1896 until his retirement in 1928. Throughout this period, he became a relentless advocate for public hygiene, disease prevention, and medical education.
One of his major achievements was the establishment of Lagos’ first public dispensary in 1901, which provided free or affordable healthcare to the city’s poor residents. At a time when access to Western medicine was limited to the wealthy or colonial officials, this initiative represented a groundbreaking step toward public health equity.
Sapara was also instrumental in founding a society for training midwives, recognising that many childbirth-related deaths could be prevented through better maternal care. His foresight in promoting women’s participation in healthcare demonstrated a progressive understanding of community-based health systems.
The War Against Smallpox and the “Cult of Disease”
Perhaps Sapara’s most famous — and most dangerous — work was his fight against smallpox. Smallpox was rampant in Yoruba communities at the turn of the 20th century, and traditional “smallpox cults” had emerged around the worship of Ṣọ̀npọ̀nná, the Yoruba deity associated with the disease.
Many of these cults discouraged vaccination, insisting that the disease should be appeased through ritual rather than prevented through science. Sapara, deeply aware of the cultural roots of such beliefs, chose an unconventional strategy: he infiltrated the cult under disguise to study its practices from within.
Armed with first-hand knowledge, he worked to demystify smallpox rituals, expose harmful practices, and promote vaccination campaigns among the Yoruba people. His actions — blending cultural insight with medical science — not only helped curb smallpox outbreaks but also marked an early example of medical anthropology in practice.
Sapara’s work eventually led to the colonial government banning secret inoculation practices and expanding official vaccination programmes across the Lagos Colony.
Urban Reform and Sanitation Advocacy
Beyond medicine, Sapara was a passionate urban reformer. He recognised that diseases thrived in the congested, unplanned areas of Lagos and tirelessly campaigned for slum clearance and proper drainage systems. His advocacy contributed to early public health policies that improved living conditions in parts of the city.
Sapara’s reports to the colonial authorities highlighted how environmental neglect and poor hygiene perpetuated epidemics. He argued that health reform should go hand-in-hand with social reform — a philosophy far ahead of its time.
Legacy and Recognition
Dr Oguntola Sapara retired from service in 1928 and passed away in 1935, leaving behind a monumental legacy in Nigerian public health. His life embodied courage, compassion, and the pursuit of scientific truth amidst cultural and colonial tensions.
In recognition of his contributions, a street in Lagos bears his name — Sapara Street — and he is frequently cited in Nigerian medical history as one of the founding figures of modern healthcare in West Africa.
His ability to balance Western medicine with indigenous understanding remains a model for culturally sensitive public health practice. Sapara’s approach demonstrated that reforming health systems in Africa required not only scientific skill but also respect for local traditions and empathy for the people.
References
National Archives of Nigeria, Lagos Division
Adeloye, A. “Some Early Nigerian Doctors and Their Contribution to Modern Medicine in West Africa.” Medical History Journal, 1974
Colonial Reports—Annual: Lagos, 1901–1928
Nigerian Tribune: “Remembering Dr Oguntola Sapara, Nigeria’s Forgotten Medical Reformer” (2020)
The Guardian Nigeria Archives
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PHOTOS: The issue of Deborah Samuel Yakubu is one of the most tragic and controversial religious-related incidents in recent Nigerian history.
The issue of Deborah Samuel Yakubu is one of the most tragic and controversial religious-related incidents in recent Nigerian history. It highlights deep tensions around religious intolerance, mob justice, and the misuse of social media in the country.
Deborah Samuel Yakubu was a 200-level Home Economics student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, Nigeria. She was a Christian from Niger State. On May 12, 2022, Deborah was brutally killed by a mob of fellow students who accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.
The incident reportedly began on the class’s WhatsApp group where students used to share academic information. During one of the discussions, Deborah reportedly expressed frustration over religious messages being shared in the group chat, insisting that it was meant only for academic purposes. Some of her Muslim classmates considered her comment to be disrespectful and blasphemous toward Islam. The message quickly spread beyond the group, sparking anger among students.
A violent mob formed within the school premises, dragged Deborah out of the security room where she was temporarily sheltered, stoned her to death, and set her body on fire. Videos of the killing circulated widely on social media, causing outrage both within and outside Nigeria. The gruesome footage showed some people proudly claiming responsibility for the act, saying it was justified under Islamic law.
The Sokoto State Police Command later confirmed the incident and announced that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing. However, many Nigerians and human rights organizations criticized the authorities for not doing enough to prosecute all those involved in the mob action. The federal and state governments condemned the killing, calling it a criminal act that could not be justified under any religion or law.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and several Islamic scholars also condemned the act, stating that the Prophet Muhammad himself would not have supported such violence. Christian leaders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), demanded justice and urged the government to ensure the protection of religious minorities in the country.
Deborah’s killing sparked nationwide protests, international condemnation, and renewed debates about blasphemy laws, religious intolerance, and freedom of speech in Nigeria. In Sokoto and other parts of Northern Nigeria, protests broke out after the arrest of the suspects, with demonstrators demanding their release. In contrast, across Southern Nigeria and in the international community, vigils and memorials were held to honor Deborah’s memory.
The Nigerian government faced strong criticism for failing to prevent such acts of mob violence, which have occurred several times in parts of the country. Many activists and human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, urged the government to take decisive action to end the culture of impunity surrounding religious killings.
Deborah Samuel’s death remains a symbol of the urgent need for stronger laws against mob justice and greater protection for freedom of religion and expression in Nigeria. Her story is a painful reminder of the dangers of religious intolerance and the misuse of social media to incite violence.
In the years following her death, calls for justice continued, though there has been little public progress in prosecuting those responsible. Her family relocated for safety reasons after facing threats, and several groups have offered them support. Deborah’s legacy endures as a voice for justice, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.
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Early Life & Background
Binta Ayo Mogaji was born in 1964 and hails from Agbo-Ile, Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Her father was an Islamic cleric, while her mother worked as an education administrator.
From an early age she showed interest in acting, starting her career in the early 1970s as a child actor.
Career in Acting
She first gained recognition on television. For example, one of her early appearances was on the TV series Why Worry the Barber.
Her debut in home-video cinema (in the Yoruba language) was with the film titled Mojere.
Over the decades, Mogaji has acted in both Yoruba-language and English-language films and television series. She has been cited as being part of at least 400–800 stage, screen and home-video productions.
Notable works include:
Ti Oluwa Ni Le (1992)
Owo Blow (1997)
The Bridge (2017)
In a 2018 interview she spoke about the Nigerian film industry’s tendency to favour younger actors, and argued that older actors are still fully capable of delivering professional performances.
She has also spoken about how her religious background (Islamic) informed her decisions about roles — for example, she stated she has never acted semi-nude or participated in kissing scenes throughout her career.
Personal Life
Mogaji has had a varied personal journey:
She was in a relationship with actor Jibola Dabo, and together they have a son.
In 2006 she married retired footballer and physiotherapist Victor Ayodele Oduleye.
She later revealed that the marriage lasted about 13 years, and that it involved physical and mental abuse which led to her leaving the marriage.
On motherhood:
She revealed that she conceived and gave birth to her only child at age 40 — despite having already undergone removal of one fallopian tube due to an ectopic pregnancy.
In an interview she recounted being taken to “seven different hospitals” as doctors were uncertain she’d survive the ectopic pregnancy.
On advice & views:
Mogaji has said that women aged 35 or older who want children should not necessarily wait for marriage, but could consider having a child outside wedlock or adopting, if they are capable of caring for the child.
Achievements & Recognition
She is widely regarded as one of the veteran and accomplished actresses in Nigeria’s film industry — in theatre, television and home-video.
Among her awards, she has been recognized as “Best Actress” at the REEL Awards.
Selected Filmography
Here are a few highlights (not exhaustive):
Mojere — her first home-video appearance.
Ti Oluwa Ni Le (1992)
Owo Blow (1997)
Motherhood
Ileke
Ojuju
Ilé Olorogun
The Bridge (2017)
My Village People (2021)
Legacy & Impact
Mogaji’s career spans many decades and multiple eras of Nigerian cinema (from early television to modern Nollywood).
She is seen as a mentor or “auntie” figure to younger actors, many of whom admire her longevity and professionalism.
She has been candid about the challenges faced by actors in Nigeria — for example, she has said that despite fame, many actors must still “toil” for little reward.
Current Status
As of 2024-2025, she remains active in the industry.
Recently she celebrated her son’s graduation from university (Lead City University, Ibadan) in 2024.
She continues to speak publicly about personal and industry issues (e.g., motherhood, marital abuse, the film industry).
Interesting Facts
Despite having only one fallopian tube, she was able to conceive and give birth — a story she shared publicly to encourage others.
She has been frank about regards marriage and motherhood — for example stating that waiting for marriage should not prevent someone who truly wants a child from having one (if they can care for it responsibly).
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