Folabi Olumide

Folabi Olumide was a Nigerian academic and medical surgeon who made significant contributions to the field of medicine and education. He obtained his MBBS degree from the University of Ibadan in 1960 and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1966. He worked as a lecturer and consultant surgeon at the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where he pioneered the establishment of the Department of Surgery. He also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. In 1983, he was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the newly established Lagos State University (LASU), where he laid the foundation for the academic and administrative development of the institution. He was instrumental in securing the land, building the infrastructure, recruiting the staff, and designing the curriculum for LASU. He also initiated several innovative programs, such as the sandwich degree program, the external degree program, and the part-time degree program, to cater to the needs of the diverse student population. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of LASU until 1988, when he retired from active service. He remained an active member of the academic community, serving as a member of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Academy of Science, and the President of the Nigerian Medical Association. He was also involved in several professional and social organizations, such as the Nigerian Surgical Research Society, the Nigerian Cancer Society, the Rotary Club, and the Lions Club. He was honored with several awards and recognitions, such as the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the Distinguished Service Award of the Nigerian Medical Association, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Lagos State University. He died on 8 January 2021 from COVID-19 complications at the age of 84 or 85. He was described as a visionary leader, a distinguished scholar, a compassionate physician, and a humble gentleman by his colleagues, students, and friends.