A Journey of Passion, Resilience, and Leadership: An Interview with Aderonke Opawande
Celebrating Nursing Leadership with Fellow Nurses Africa
At Fellow Nurses Africa, we celebrate African nurses in leadership and the stories of nurses making impacts. We recently spoke with Aderonke Opawande (Adesoughtout), a nurse leader whose journey is marked by passion, perseverance, and purpose.
From Uncertainty to Purpose
Adesoughtout’s path into nursing was not a typical one. Originally aspiring to work in charity, her move into the profession came unexpectedly after living with an uncle who admired nurses. Initially uncertain, she grew to embrace the profound impact she could have on patient safety, advocacy, and public health.
A Diverse Career Path
Her career has been anything but conventional. Starting in Nigeria with clinical nursing, she explored roles in private hospitals, public health, and a consulting firm. Her career pivoted when she moved to the UK seven years ago, transitioning from bedside nursing to specializing in infection control and later, quality and patient safety after her Master’s degree and a certificationin Project management. Today, she serves as a Learning Lessons Analyst, capturing and sharing patient safety insights to drive systemic change.
Breaking Barriers as an African Nurse Leader
Adesoughtout faced challenges as an African nurse in leadership, particularly the lack of mentors who shared her background. Without role models, she had to create her own path and seek mentorship outside her field. She urges other African nurses to build communities, be a part of communities, and mentor the next generation to ensure continued growth and support.
The State of Nursing Leadership in Nigeria
Adesoughtout recognizes the systemic challenges in Nigeria’s nursing leadership, such as limited resources and bureaucratic obstacles. She advocates for strategic lobbying, curriculum reforms, and stronger representation of nurses in policymaking to foster change from local to national levels.
Challenges and the Path to Change
In Nigeria, nurses face challenges like poor salaries, working conditions, and recognition. Adesoughtout sees these as symptoms of deeper structural issues. She encourages nurses to take initiative, share best practices, and build collaborative networks, using technology and social media to amplify their voices and drive change across Africa.
A Message to Nurses
Adesoughtout’s advice to nurses is clear: Choose yourself. Prioritize your personal growth and well-being. When you are at your best, you can better serve others and mentor those who follow. The future of nursing depends on the choices nurses make today.
Adesoughtout’s story is a powerful example of resilience and leadership. As she continues to break barriers, her journey serves as inspiration for nurses to reshape their roles and transform healthcare systems.
Stay inspired. The future of nursing is in your hands.
