I Was Offered Admission to Study Medicine at UI, But I Fought to Change to Nursing – Prof. Prisca Adejumo Inspires at Nightingale Summit 2025
Ogbomoso, Nigeria (October 4, 2025,) —
Under the warm October sun at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, a story of courage and conviction unfolded today at the Nightingale Summit 2025. Prof. Prisca Olatunji Adejumo, a beloved figure from the University of Ibadan and a titan in nursing, took the stage as the keynote speaker, delivering a soul-stirring address titled “Nursing Across Generations: Wisdom of the Past, Strength of the Present, Vision for the Future.”
Her words reached deep into the hearts of hundreds of nursing students from across Nigeria, weaving a tale that spanned the Nightingale era’s pioneering spirit to the heroic resilience of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This wasn’t just a lecture—it was a celebration of a life devoted to healing, and it left everyone in the room inspired.
Joining her were a remarkable cast of voices: Nurse Abiola Hakeemat Ayilara and Prof. Esan Tolulope Deborah, who shared their seasoned insights as distinguished speakers; The Political Medic, whose spoken word artistry painted vivid pictures of hope; and panelists Dr. Tawakalitu Adenike Otufale, Nurse Simeon Oluwole Ogunowo, and Nurse Lillian Tolulope Bamigboye, each bringing their unique wisdom to the table. Together, they turned the summit into a vibrant tapestry of experience and aspiration.
A Personal Battle That Shaped a Legacy
Prof. Adejumo’s story began with a twist few expected. Years ago, she held an admission letter to study medicine at the University of Ibadan in her hands—a path many would have seized without hesitation. But her heart whispered something different.
“I didn’t want to be a doctor,”
she confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. “I wanted to be a nurse.” That choice sparked a grueling fight—trekking to JAMB offices, navigating unfamiliar corridors, and facing countless obstacles. She credits Prof. Peter Abu, still with us today, for standing by her side through it all.
“I suffered to change that admission,” she said, her eyes shining with pride, “but if I had another chance at life, I’d choose nursing again. I’m happy—super elated—to be a nurse.”
Her journey wasn’t just personal; it was a testament to following one’s calling, no matter the cost. The audience leaned in, captivated by a woman who turned struggle into strength.
A Call to Heal in a Changing World
With a career steeped in oncology nursing, genetic counseling, HIV/AIDS care, and battling non-communicable diseases, Prof. Adejumo spoke with the authority of experience. She paused, her gaze sweeping the room, and delivered a stark truth:
“If you put a sick person in an atmosphere for nature to act on it in 2025, with climate change and all its chaos, you’re going to lose them.”
Her words carried a gentle urgency, urging nurses to adapt, to innovate, and to hold fast to the human touch that defines their work. It was a motherly warning, rooted in love for both her profession and the people it serves.
She recounted a tender moment, when two students wrestling with their own paths came to her office and asked to switch from nursing to medicine. With a warm smile, I told them,
“If you want to change, please do. Why not?”
It was the advice of a mentor who understands the weight of choice, offering freedom with a heart full of understanding.
A Vision United Under Nurse Krypton’s Leadership
The summit, masterfully convened by Arowosegbe Obafemi David—affectionately known as Nurse Krypton—brought together students from the University of Ilorin, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ajayi Crowther University, Lead City University, Kwara State College of Nursing Science, Osun State University, Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, School of Nursing University College Hospital Ibadan, and Ekiti State University.
In his opening remarks, Nurse Krypton ignited the room with bold ambition, declaring,
“Together, we will rise as a formidable force, transforming healthcare with compassion, courage, and innovation to heal our nation and inspire the world.”
Prof. Adejumo beamed as she called him “a man of vision and wisdom,” crediting his leadership for turning the summit into a beacon of hope and progress.
A Gift to Fellow Nurses Africa
For Fellow Nurses Africa, Prof. Adejumo’s story is a gift—a reminder that nursing is more than a job; it’s a calling forged in sacrifice and love. Her journey, paired with Nurse Krypton’s vision and the heartfelt contributions of Nurse Abiola, Prof. Esan, The Political Medic, Dr. Otufale, Nurse Ogunowo, and Nurse Bamigboye, paints a picture of a profession ready to lead. As the summit’s echoes linger, social media buzzes with praise, with one student from Ogbomoso whispering, “Her story changed me.”
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa
