The legacy of academic excellence at Nigeria’s Premier Private University, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), is once again in the spotlight as Dr. Chisom Odii, an alumnus of the Department of Nursing, Class of 2020, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nursing with specialisation in Symptom Science, Gynecologic Oncology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB, emerging as the youngest scholar in Africa to attain the feat at age 29. Dr. Odii completed his PhD with distinction at 29, making him the youngest male in Africa to bag a doctorate in Nursing. He also holds the distinction of being the first PhD holder from IUO’s Department of Nursing.
Dr. Odii’s journey reflects the quality of training and mentorship at IUO. He graduated as the Best Graduating Student of Nursing in 2020, a performance that positioned him for professional success immediately after school. He was licensed and practiced as a nurse in the United Kingdom for two years before proceeding to the United States for doctoral studies.
The clinical rigor, research orientation, and leadership values he acquired at IUO formed the bedrock for his international career. UAB is widely recognised for its contributions to cancer research and healthcare innovation, and Dr. Odii’s completion of the prestigious programme has further placed Nigeria on the global map in oncology and nursing science. His doctoral research focused on advancing the understanding of cancer-related symptoms, particularly chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, CIPN, among gynecologic cancer patients, as well as the impact of social determinants of health on symptom severity and healthcare equity. The research is expected to contribute significantly to precision symptom science aimed at improving the quality of life of patients undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancers.
During his PhD program, Dr. Odii distinguished himself with over 8 peer-reviewed publications, conference abstracts, and multiple national and international awards. His productivity at such an early stage of his academic career has drawn attention to IUO’s Nursing department and its capacity to produce scholars who compete globally.
Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Odii described the accomplishment as more than an academic milestone, stressing the importance of research-driven healthcare solutions. “This PhD represents not just an academic milestone but a commitment to bridging gaps in cancer care, especially for underserved populations. By focusing on symptom science and health equity, we can develop interventions that truly transform patient outcomes in gynecologic oncology,” he said. He also called for stronger investment in data-driven policy making and research infrastructure in Nigeria. “It is unfortunate that data-driven policy making has yet to become the norm in our society. We still lack reliable figures on deaths, births, and key health indices for large segments of the population. Social determinants often drive mortality far more than genetic factors alone,” he noted.
Dr. Odii further advocated the establishment of robust databases and modern record-keeping systems to strengthen healthcare delivery and governance in the country. “I am particularly eager to collaborate with Ebonyi State to develop a comprehensive database system leveraging Nigeria’s National Identification Number. This would create a secure, accessible platform for evidence-based policy making at both state and national levels. I call on the government to fully embrace data science and artificial intelligence, and to increase funding for research that translates into tangible improvements for our people,” he added.
Speaking on the development, the Head of Department of Nursing Science, Dr. Veronica M. Ugeh described Dr. Odii as a product of IUO’s commitment to excellence. According to her, his emergence as Best Graduating Student in 2020 signaled his potential early, while the department’s emphasis on evidence-based practice and research prepared him for licensing exams, UK practice, and the demands of doctoral research. His achievement now serves as inspiration for current students, proving that an IUO Nursing degree can open doors anywhere in the world.
With his continued academic excellence and contributions to nursing science, Dr. Chisom Odii remains a proud ambassador of Igbinedion University. His story reinforces IUO’s mission to raise graduates who do not just earn degrees, but set new standards in their fields.
