Fellow Nurses Africa || Nursing Spotlight Volume 5 || 25th May, 2025.

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Soaring to New Heights: Dr. Chinenye Anetekhai’s Inspiring Nursing Journey

From dreaming of flying planes to transforming lives at the bedside, Dr. Chinenye Anetekhai’s journey into nursing is a testament to resilience, purpose, and leadership. As a Burn Nurse, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, and CEO/Founder of COA-CONE, she’s a beacon of inspiration for nurses across Africa and beyond. Her story, shared in an exclusive interview with Fellow Nurses Africa, reveals how passion, mentorship, and determination can turn challenges into opportunities.

From Pilot Dreams to Nursing Purpose

Dr. Chinenye never planned to be a nurse. As a young girl, she was captivated by pilots—their crisp uniforms, confident strides, and command of the skies. With a love for physics, mathematics, and geography, she devoured textbooks and dreamed of soaring above the clouds. But when aviation schools proved out of reach, her father suggested nursing or medicine. She chose nursing—and it changed her life.

After years of studying anatomy, physiology, and midwifery, she wondered, “Is this all there is?” Her spark ignited at the Regional Burns Centre, National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, where wound care became her calling. Mentors like Dr. Nnabuko, Prof. Onah, and Prof. Agnes Anarado fanned her passion into a flame. Today, she says, “Nurses, like pilots, navigate complex systems, make high-stakes decisions, and carry lives in their hands. I may not fly planes, but I uplift lives—from the bedside, classroom, and community.”

A Trailblazing Career Path

Dr. Chinenye’s career is a masterclass in perseverance. Starting at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, she earned a Master’s, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a PhD. She lectured at the University of Nigeria Nsukka before moving to the UK, where she worked as a Band 5 nurse, then a Band 6 Practice Education Facilitator preparing international nurses for OSCE exams. In 2022, she joined Birmingham City University as a lecturer, becoming a Senior Lecturer by November 2023. In March 2025, she became an external examiner at two universities.

Her crowning moment came on May 22, 2025, when she won the Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award at Birmingham City University. She shares, “Teaching is my calling. It’s about shaping lives with compassion and excellence.”

Leading with Impact

As a Senior Lecturer, Dr. Chinenye supervises doctoral students, leads modules, and mentors academics. As CEO of COA-CONE and the Chair Nursing Committee of the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI), she drives global education and innovation in burn care. She organizes webinars, develops resources, and ensures nursing standards align with best practices. As an external reviewer and panel member for four UK universities, she upholds academic rigor and shapes nursing curricula.

Overcoming Challenges as an African Nurse Leader

Leadership as an African nurse comes with hurdles. She admits, “Lack of mentors and support can be isolating.” She overcame this by becoming her own cheerleader and finding inspiration in networks like the Women in Higher Education Network (WHEN) and the Black Female Academics Network (BFAN). Her advice is clear: “Build yourself, seek opportunities, and find your tribe.” Today, she mentors African and Black nurses and encourages others to “drop a rope” for those climbing behind.

The State of Nursing Leadership in Nigeria

Nigeria’s nursing curriculum is robust, preparing nurses for diverse settings. Yet, Dr. Chinenye highlights significant challenges:

• “Nurses are often seen as implementers, not policymakers, due to institutional barriers and lack of mentorship.”
• “Hierarchical leadership structures and stagnant roles stifle innovation and limit younger nurses’ opportunities.”
• “Leadership training is inadequate and needs strengthening.”

Her vision for change includes:

• Comprehensive leadership training focused on transformational leadership.
• Term limits and succession plans to rotate leadership roles and foster fresh ideas.
• Mentorship programs to transfer skills to younger nurses.
• Creating structured platforms for nurses’ involvement in health policy.

Unique Challenges for Nigerian Nurses

Nigerian nurses face low wages, unsafe workplaces, and lack of recognition. Dr. Chinenye calls on nurse leaders to:

• Advocate for better pay and safer work environments through bodies like NANNMS.
• Equip leaders with policy advocacy skills for representation in decision-making.
• Establish clear promotion paths and awards for excellence based on patient and family feedback.

A Message for Nurses Across Africa

Her powerful advice: “Find a sponsor.” She explains, “A sponsor uses their influence to open doors, recommend you for opportunities, and boost your visibility. Unlike mentors, sponsors actively champion your career.” In a challenging world, a sponsor is essential to unlocking your potential.

Flying High as a Nurse Leader

Dr. Chinenye Anetekhai may not pilot planes, but she’s soaring in nursing. From aspiring pilot to global leader in burn care and education, her journey inspires us all. Through COA-CONE, her teaching, and advocacy, she proves nurses lead, protect, and serve—transforming lives one patient, student, and community at a time.

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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform, and support the nursing profession.