학문의 전설| The Incredible Journey of an Academic Medicine Legend — The One With Professor Onatolu Odukoya | Episode 25 (2025)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 

Legacy. Leadership. Life Lessons. This episode on The More Sibyl Podcast is surely unforgettable. I had the privilege of sitting down with Professor Onatolu Odukoya, the former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

What began as a conversation about legacy evolved into an enriching dialogue about purpose, faith, leadership, and the wisdom that comes with age. We explored his remarkable academic career, starting with his early days as a standout scholar who would later make his mark at Harvard. 

We discussed the evolution of Nigeria’s medical education system, particularly in light of emerging technologies like AI and their impact on diagnostics. Professor Odukoya expressed cautious optimism about the future, hopeful that, with the right reforms and vision, both medical education and the broader healthcare sector in Nigeria can grow and thrive.

Now in retirement, Professor Odukoya is far from idle. He continues to serve on several medical and community boards, including the Holy Trinity Hospital Board and the Academy of Medical Sciences. He shared candidly about the fears many high achievers have around retirement, especially the fear of becoming irrelevant, but offered a powerful model for staying engaged and purposeful through service, planning, and faith.

We also discussed his newly released memoir, which chronicles his life of discipline, faith, loss, and service. It’s not just a story of accomplishments, but of values: how he and his wife have deliberately passed down faith and integrity to their children and grandchildren.

This episode is a rich blend of wisdom, history, and practical advice. Whether you’re an academic, a parent, a leader, or someone reflecting on your own legacy, Professor Odukoya’s story will leave you both challenged and inspired.

Oh—and something BIG is coming this month. Mark your calendars for July 19th: More Than a Backpack is a live panel session featuring moms, dads, and a behavioral specialist, who will dig even deeper into how we can collectively advocate for our kids in the North American education system. That’s right, both the U.S. and Canada. Save the date, and we’ll see you there!

🅻🅸🅽🅺🆂:

• Read the blog here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/the-incredible-journey-of-an-academic-medicine-legend-fcf89fc24502  
• Order his book here: https://form.typeform.com/to/YNxANf4j