Obafemi Awolowo University is thrilled to celebrate our distinguished alumna, Dr. Onikepe Owolabi, who was recently featured in the prestigious journal Nature as one of the women in science who inspire the world!

Dr. Owolabi, currently the Vice-President for International Research at the Guttmacher Institute (NYC), is a high-profile icon shaping global health discourse. Her journey began right here at OAU, where her clinical training opened her eyes to the data gaps in Nigerian healthcare—a realization that fueled her mission to bridge the gap between medicine and policy.

OAU celebrates this global authority whose work at the UN, ICPD30, and ICFP forums has positioned her as a leading voice in reproductive and maternal health.

Her groundbreaking research in The Lancet have exposed crucial gaps in global care delivery, sparking international attention and reform.

 She is an inspiration for the Next Generation. As Nature puts it, there is “no one quite like her.” She combines clinical excellence with health economics to advocate for the underserved. Dr. Owolabi embodies the spirit of excellence that OAU instills in every student. We celebrate her continued success as she leads international research and advocates for health equity on the world stage.