Celebrating diversity – an introduction to Nigerian students on the Oxford MGHL Masters

Authors – Olukayode Fasominu, Morenike Olorunda

By 2050 the majority of the world’s student age population will be in Africa. African graduates and researchers will play a key role in contributing to the future of not just the continent, but the world. The University of Oxford’s Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is deliberate about taking a multi-pronged approach aimed at increasing the number of successful African graduates at Oxford.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with over 200 million people. When we are not engaged in ensuring we guard our territory to claim the award for the best Jollof rice[1] in the world, you would find Nigerians leading innovative organisations and making global impact in their various endeavours across the world. As a matter of fact, Nigerians are known to be one of the most educated people in the US.

With the unparalleled convening power of The University of Oxford, the Said Business School, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, the Global Healthcare Leadership programme was curated and commenced in the Michaelmas term in 2022. In a “global” programme such as this, it is imperative that each cohort truly reflects this global reach. This is in addition to benefitting from the diverse, in-depth, peer-led discussions, and networking with an international group of world-class faculties, and guest experts. Currently, the programme has six exemplary leaders and senior executives of Nigerian descent across two cohorts. Their expertise spans work in the public, and private sectors, in diverse geographies, bringing with them a wealth of experience and diversity beneficial to the MGHL cohorts and programme.

So, who are these Nigerians?

Segun Dawodu is a physician and a graduate of University of Ibadan, Nigeria and registered to practice in the US, UK, Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago. In addition, he has a LL.B from University of London, LL.M in intellectual property & medical ethics from University of London, an LL.M in International Corporate and Commercial Law, King’s College London, MBA from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA, and MSc in Medical Informatics from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, US. His interests include travelling, entrepreneurship, computer programming, Data in generative AI, and blogging. He created the first Nigerian website on socio-economic, political and historical issues - Dawodu.com.

Reni Olorunda is a driven product manager fuelled by a passion for healthcare and a deep desire to serve humanity. Her days are spent collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders, crafting innovative services that cater to real needs, and elevating health & well-being for populations served by her organisation – HCA Healthcare.  Reni dreams of a future where global healthcare disparities fade, and populations in low and middle-income countries can access the tools and resources they need to flourish and enjoy life to the fullest. But beyond the whiteboard and brainstorming sessions, you'll find her immersed in the quiet beauty of nature. A good countryside walk coupled with an audiobook is her go-to for recharging and reflection. When wanderlust strikes, she becomes a cultural chameleon, eager to get lost in the vibrant tapestry of new experiences – as she has found herself enrolled on the Global Healthcare Leadership programme at the Said Business School, traversing the lecture rooms in the Thatcher Business School Education Centre (TBEC).

Olukayode Fasominu is a Public Health Physician, Management Consultant, recognised global health security expert, and public health thought leader. He is a Principal at Volte Health – a consulting firm – where he leads several engagements across Africa working with donor agencies, multilateral UN agencies, donors, and governments across different levels. Kayode led the development of the first ever tool in sub-Saharan Africa to identify gaps in health security capacities at the sub-national level. With the aid of this tool countries with a federal system of governance can identify weaknesses in their health security status, develop plans, and advocate for resources to build resilient health systems capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to disease outbreaks early. He is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and Cardiff University, Wales, University Kingdom where he received his medical training (MD) and post graduate degree in public health (MPH) respectively. Currently, Kayode serves on the board of a US-based Haiti-focused think-tank - Haiti Policy House - with an aim to shape and influence foreign policy towards Haiti. He loves to watch football and always happy to try out his culinary skills in a well-stocked kitchen. He is a hodophile and shares his views in peer-reviewed journals.

Fatima Ndanusa is an experienced Public Health leader, with over 15-years of experience leading, designing and implementing population level health improvement programmes at scale. Currently, she is a Public Health Principal, Hampshire County Council, United Kingdom. Her experience spans working to address health inequalities, and differing levels of deprivation in underrepresented communities across UK councils. Specifically, in these communities, she has led the implementation of preventive and behavioural change initiatives e.g., tobacco control, sexual health, health screening (e.g., the NHS Checks programme), improving health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people (under the age of 25), and addressing mental health needs in young black males. These initiatives align well with her passion and leadership aspirations. These aspirations made her enrol on the Global Healthcare Leadership programme where she is a recipient of the Global Healthcare Leadership Director’s Award. While on the programme, she looks forward to adding to her repertoire of skills in strategic planning, people development, team leadership, evidence-based commissioning, and strategic needs assessment to harness the collective will and expertise that maximise outputs towards improving population health - within budgetary and staffing pressures.

Felix Ofungwu is the Chief Executive Officer of ISN Products Limited, a leading supplier of medical diagnostic and consumer healthcare products to hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies in West Africa. At ISN, Felix leads a team of over 180 people towards actualising ISN’s vision of providing peace of mind to healthcare practitioners through innovative medical diagnostic solutions. ISN is the authorised distributor for Roche Diagnostics, Illumina, and Becton Dickinson, among others supplying medical equipment, reagents, and consumables to over 1,000 hospitals and clinics and 20,000 pharmacies across Nigeria and Ghana. Felix serves on the Board of the Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and St. Dominic Catholic Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. Felix earned a bachelor’s degree in economics (with distinction) from Purdue University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Felix enjoys travelling, plays golf, and enjoys the many beautiful beaches in his home city of Lagos, Nigeria.

Olamide Folorunso is a Health Specialist with UNICEF Headquarters, where he leads UNICEF’s vaccine management, capacity building, in-country supply chain systems strengthening, last mile innovations and deliveries portfolio. He has extensive global and public health delivery experience in LMICs working with governments, country, regional and global technical partners, and stakeholders, private sector, bilateral and multilateral donors, UN agencies and institutions on several global health initiatives. Olamide trained as a Physician at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he was awarded the College of Medicine’s Provost Award in Leadership and Community Service, obtained an MSc in Global Health and Development from University College London (UCL), and MBA from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, United Kingdom as a Warwick Scholar. He’s currently a Said Business School Awardee on the University of Oxford’s Global Healthcare Leadership programme. Olamide likes seeing new places and meeting new people, playing board games, and watching sports.

Given the share number of challenges plaguing the delivery of equitable healthcare in Nigeria, these #Oxonians will be contributing to leading several innovative solutions, champion critical reforms that guarantee the delivery of sustainable, health interventions in the public and private health sector in Nigeria.

Interested in the MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership course? Should you meet these Nigerians around, ensure you inquire about the Nigerian culture, business, food, fashion, music and what it takes to be a Nigerian. Asking about Jollof rice is always a good conversation starter😊. Each of the students are happy to provide an overview of how the Oxford MGHL programme is responding to the leadership challenges plaguing our world through a holistic approach, looking at healthcare from an individual, organisational and systematic perspective. You could also join them in one of the numerous famous pubs and taverns dotting the hallowed grounds of Oxford. Skol!