Habeeb Ayodeji Sanusi (MBBS, MRCOG, FMCOG)

I was privileged to attend the one and only University of first choice in Nigeria, University of Lagos, UNILAG.

The main campus in Akoka was a beauty to behold especially the senate building which could be seen across the Atlantic while driving on the 3^rd mainland bridge. The pride I felt when I gained admission to study medicine in UNILAG was palpable. Such was the pride and enthusiasm, quite infectious, that my siblings also attended the great UNILAG.

I have been asked to write a testimonial on how my experience in UNILAG has helped me in life. The truth is that words whether said or written cannot capture all that UNILAG did for me. The name practically opened doors. The alumni association has many eminent and accomplished personalities both nationally and internationally who motivated me during and after my undergraduate years. Your network is your net worth is apt in this regard.

First year of medicine and surgery course was spent in Akoka while the remaining 5 years were in Idi-Araba which hosts the College of medicine as well as the teaching Hospital of the University. I had fantastic and dedicated lecturers who did their best within their capacity to impact not just knowledge but attitude, this has made me and many of my colleagues who we are today. Confidence, doggedness, versatility and hard work were some of the life skills I picked up while in school.

It is an open secret that some of the knowledge and skills being taught in some of our schools are a bit dated. This can be attributed to several reasons, lack of funding and inconsistent policies being major culprits. Despite the setback, I could remember CMUL/UNILAG partnering with universities abroad to set up a surgical skill centre during my penultimate year in school. I owe this exposure to my eventual career path, now an obstetrician and gynaecologist. We can achieve more by thinking outside the box. The University of Lagos is indeed renowned for taking such initiatives which ensures the graduates of this great institution of learning can hold their own wherever in the world they find themselves and be proud of the training they received. I am a living example!

Habeeb Ayodeji Sanusi (MBBS, MRCOG, FMCOG) Specialty Registrar, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, UK.