The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed Prof. Kola Musliudin Owonikoko as the Acting Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun Teaching Hospital.
Prof. Owonikoko, who hails from Saki in Oyo State, previously served as the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. His educational journey began at LA Onikeke Primary School in Saki (1974-1979), followed by Modern School Education (1979-1982), and Ansar-ur-deen High School, Saki, where he graduated with 7 distinctions in WAEC. He later attended Government College, Ibadan for Advanced Level Education (1986-1988) and completed his undergraduate medical education at the University of Ilorin (1989-1997).
Following his mandatory national service at the Medical Center of the 3rd Division Rukuba Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, Prof. Owonikoko joined the Medical Services staff at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in 1999 as a Medical Officer. He began his residency training in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UCH in 2002, earning his Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in 2007 and the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) in 2008. He also holds a Master of Science in Reproductive Health from the University of Ibadan (2008), a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (2022), and a Diploma Certificate in Minimal Access Surgery from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, UK (2023).
Prof. Owonikoko’s extensive work experience includes housemanship at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (1997-1998), Medical Officer at the 3rd Army Division Rukuba (1998-1999), Medical Officer at UCH Ibadan (1999-2002), and various academic and clinical roles at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, culminating in his promotion to Professor in 2019. He also completed a sabbatical leave as Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Ministry of Health, Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia (2019-2021).
Prof. Owonikoko has supervised over 15 postgraduate medical dissertations for the fellowship of both the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. He is an examiner for both colleges and has served as an external examiner for various Master’s degree defenses and undergraduate medical examinations. His research interests include fertility research, endocrinology, and minimal access surgery, and he has authored over 70 articles in highly reputable peer-reviewed journals.
He has also served the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital as Vice-Chairman (2015-2016) and Chairman (2019-2020), contributing to the approval of the payment of CONMESS for LTH doctors by the Oyo State Government. Additionally, he has served on various university committees, including the Resident Training Committee, Ethical Committee, Disciplinary Committee, Examination Committee, and Welfare Committee. His community services include health awareness programs, voluntary obstetrics services, and rural surgical outreaches.
Prof. Owonikoko has received numerous awards, including the Meritorious Service Award from the Commanding Officer and the Chief Resident of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is happily married and blessed with children.
