The first African neurosurgeon trained on US soil and the Father of Neurosurgery in Africa. He was the first African Neurosurgeon trained on US soil. [[The first African-American Neurosurgeon (Dr. Clarence Sumner Greene, Sr) had trained in Canada.]] He attended Methodist Boys High School, Lagos; Howard University, Washington DC; and the University University of Michigan.
He was the first Nigerian Neurosurgeon. Joined UCH in 1962 and set up the first Neurosurgery unit in Nigeria in the midst of widespread cynicism by expatriate colleagues. Medical giants like Prof J.C. Edozien (current Asagba of Asaba who was the Dean of Medicine in Ibadan then) encouraged him.
His decision to return to Nigeria after completing his training in the USA (despite being offered two academic appointments in the USA) led to the collapse of his first marriage. His American wife refused to follow him back to Nigeria which led to their divorce. He reportedly said: “My country needs me”. Became Nigeria’s first professor of Neurosurgeon in 1965.
Played a key role in the setting up of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
He was also a good poet.
Died prematurely at age 47 in 1974 from complications of Diabetes Mellitus.
Buried in the England.
Immortalised by his protege and friend, Emeritus Professor Adelola Adeloye, also a Neurosurgeon, who compiled a biography titled: “An African Neurosurgeon”. Image: Courtesy of the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Source: NNP
