Jaachimma Nwagbara
400-level Medicine & Surgery
University of Ibadan
Could you briefly tell us about yourself, Sir?
I’m Dr Ade Faponle from Osun state, born a few decades ago in Ibadan. I am a consultant nephrologist at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja.
It’s great to meet you, Sir. What was growing up like for you?
I grew up in a very small family and had a pretty conservative background. It was a close-knit and very academic family. My mum is a professor of medicine, and I was motivated to follow her footsteps. Also, you must know, Ibadan itself is a very academic place.
Yes, Ibadan is very much known for this. What medical school did you attend, and what was your experience?
I attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and I still say it is the greatest place to be (haha…apologies). I enjoyed every bit of Great Ife. However, I lived quite the triangular lifestyle — school, church, hostel. I was always reading and had very little time for social activities. It was survival of the fittest in Ife, and I went through without having a resit. I’m really grateful to God that it ended well for me. Plus we also had great teachers.
I guess we should all consider the triangular lifestyle if we want to leave without a scratch. Did you delve into any extracurricular activities as a medical student?
Well, I engaged in anything academic, like quiz club, debate club and the likes. I participated in church activities, as well. There were the occasional parties, but they weren’t really my scene.
Sounds like you were the model student. After graduating from medical school, what realities were you faced with?
After medical school, you are trying to put together all the different things you learnt over time and put it into practice. As doctors, God uses us to solve problems for others, so that’s a responsibility that becomes very real once you are done with medical school. You have to live up to expectations and, of course, keep reading. When you finish medical school, you also need to fine-tune what you have learnt — whether via residency or post-graduate studies. You can’t stay in one place if you want to remain relevant.
Very valid points. We have to keep moving after medical school. So where have you worked so far since graduating from medical school?
After medical school, I went back to Ibadan for my house job, and then I served at the National Hospital, Abuja. After that, it was straight to Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, where I was the first Medical Officer. After a while, I went for my residency at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and then I went back to Zenith as a Consultant.
Interesting. It seems you have been around the Southwest region. Why did you choose Nephrology?
You know, in life, you must have mentors. The first people that inspired me were all nephrologists from my time in Ibadan at the University College Hospital (UCH) and the National Hospital, Abuja too. Finally, I got my big mentor, who is the founder of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre.
It appears everything pointed in that one direction. Could you tell us about Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre?
Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre was founded in 2011 and is currently the biggest Kidney Centre in Nigeria with an average of 12-14 transplants per month. Our expertise is essentially in kidney care, and we have patients coming in from different countries. Anything kidney care there is top-notch.
That’s quite a feat. What would you say are the current healthcare prospects for Nephrology?
It is beautiful. More specialists are coming into the field, and many more people are getting interested. There is a need for more manpower in this field, considering the demands of an increased prevalence of kidney disease. There is increasing westernisation, poor control of blood pressure, diabetic cases, and because of these, we need more specialists.
I just might add nephrology to my list. The usual trend for medical doctors is leaving Nigeria at some point in their career. Was there any reason behind your decision to stay back?
You must understand your role and vision. I didn’t think I was needed out there at that time, so I stayed here. I would never condemn anyone leaving but don’t follow the bandwagon — define what you want to be and stay with it. It is God that blesses the work of our hands wherever you find yourself.
That is very true. You have held significant positions in the past years. Could you tell us about these positions?
Yes. Leading the Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital was a big one for me, considering how large the Association is and how turbulent my tenure was for a few months. And you have to understand I came from a conservative background, so it was a whole new experience. Subsequently, I became the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Kwara State. Those were big political experiences, and I’m happy about them.
Those were huge positions, considering your medical school journey. What challenges did you face while working in these positions?
New problems to be solved always seemed to arise. There was never a moment of rest for me, and people easily forget the good things you have done in the past and want you to solve their current issues. So there were multiple challenges every day, and it was quite difficult combining all that with clinical practice. I always had to be available and cater to the welfare needs of my members, and that was quite demanding.
Seemed like a full-time job! So, is there any future in politics for you?
I really hope so. I look forward to being the Minister of Health one day and maybe leading the country eventually. I have always had that desire, but I know it is a big one.
I really wish you well in that endeavour. You recently delved into the movie scene with the movie the Bean Shaped Superhero. Could you tell us about this project?
I wrote the movie titled the Bean Shaped Superhero for the Zenith Health Care Access Initiative. It was produced by Terver Malu and starred Dino Melaye, a past senator, and Diane Russet, a former Big Brother Naija housemate. With the high prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Nigeria, the movie sought to shine the light and proffer solutions to the deadly disease. I’m excited about this project.
Interesting. I will certainly look it up. How do you manage family runs and medicine?
You must strike a balance and make sure every area is taken care of.
Balance is key. With everything going on every day in your life, how do you relax and unwind?
I like travelling and meeting people. I’m a member of the Rotary Club, and I go there to socialise. I’m also trying to improve my swimming skills now. It is always good to maintain work-social life balance for good mental health at the end of the day.
What would your advice be to medical students and young doctors looking to take a similar path like yours?
It is extremely possible to do it, but balance, you need. You must understand your capability — don’t take more than you can handle. Develop yourself and keep learning and taking up responsibility one step at a time.
P. S.
Click here to watch our YouTube video on favouritism in medical school.
Click here to watch our YouTube video with Dr Kiki Omeili | Doctor and Actress in Nollywood.
Click here to watch our YouTube video on why you shouldn’t study Medicine at the University.
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