LAGOS/Nigeria: The Urology Unit of the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on Friday celebrated Prof. Ajibola Jeje on his retirement from academia at the age of 70.
Prof. Jeje, who joined the academic community at the age of 52, leaves behind a legacy of mentorship, having trained and supervised more than 40 urologists now serving in health institutions across Nigeria and abroad.
At a colourful valedictory ceremony, colleagues, mentees and associates poured encomiums on the retiring professor, describing him as a distinguished teacher, mentor, and leader who devoted his career to building the next generation of urologists.
Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director of LUTH, praised Jeje’s exceptional leadership, noting that despite joining academia relatively late, he left an indelible mark on the institution and the medical profession.
“Experts and the top echelon of the university are celebrating him because of his impactful role while in service. The message here is clear: if you do well, you will be celebrated,” Adeyemo said.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Suleiman Giwa, Professor of Orthopedics and Trauma, said Jeje deserved the honour, stressing that “when you retire with honour and have impacted positively on the younger ones, it is not out of place to be celebrated.”
Similarly, Prof. Rufus Ojewola, Consultant Urologist at LUTH, described Jeje as a mentor and icon per excellence. He said the celebrant’s influence stretched beyond his immediate students, shaping manpower development in surgery across Nigeria.
“Prof. Jeje has been responsible for the training of more than 40 urologists in his years of service. He is almost everything to us — a mentor who lived by example, always available, and who provided real guidance that shaped our careers,” Ojewola said.
Responding, an elated Prof. Jeje expressed gratitude for the honour, admitting he was humbled to see the extent of his impact. He emphasised the need for stronger advocacy and government support to retain trained specialists in Nigeria, warning that many skilled professionals were leaving the country due to current circumstances.
“The major problem we have now is that we have a lot of people who are trained, skillful, knowledgeable, but because of current circumstances are leaving the country. Government must look into ways to ensure experts remain here to serve our people,” Jeje said.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the National Association of Urological Surgeons (NAUS), the National Postgraduate Medical College, Heads of Departments, LUTH consultants, residents, and mentees across the country and abroad.
