July 26th, 2025, at University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.

I am honored to have been a part of the Mission:Brain at University of Ilorin Conference in July, a truly remarkable event that showcased the dedication and perseverance of students from diverse backgrounds. With over 2000 plus attendees from various continents and countries, this student-led initiative was a resounding success.

It was an incredible honor to serve as co-editor of “The Ilorin NEUROJOURNAL”, which sold out on its very first day of release. The magazine featured my thought-provoking article “Who Gets the Neurosurgeon? The Agonizing Calculus of Brain Care in Resource-Limited Settings”, alongside insightful interviews with Ilorin’s most esteemed professors, compelling feature articles, and keynote speeches.

None of this would have been possible without the visionary leadership of our Chief Co-Editor Bashir Yusuf, who transformed this ambitious project from concept to reality.

A significant personal highlight was being a co-author of the abstract,‘Management of Spinal Tuberculosis in Africa: Neurosurgical Approaches and Patient Outcomes’, presented at the conference. Huge gratitude to our Research Director, Muili Abdulbasit Opeyemi, for his expert guidance throughout this research.

It’s especially meaningful knowing this entire journey began with President Mubarak Jolayemi Mustapha sharing his bold vision for mission:BRAIN and actively brainstorming with our team on how to turn this ambitious conference concept into reality. Seeing that initial spark ignite into a continent-impacting event is awe-inspiring.

A massive shoutout to the incredible Social Media & Graphic Design teams! Afolabi Oluwatobiloba, Amzat Abdulrahman, Samuel Lawal and Mustapha Ajibade your creativity and relentless effort were absolutely vital. You crafted compelling visuals, built immense online buzz, and masterfully amplified our reach globally – ensuring Mission:Brain captured the attention it deserved long before, during, and after the event. You were the vital behind-the-scenes force that captivated audiences and brought the conference to life online!

The flawless execution of this massive undertaking, rivalling professional conferences, speaks volumes. Pivotal applause is due to Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Israel Charles Abraham – your masterful orchestration under pressure was nothing short of extraordinary! This monumental success also rests on the tireless leadership of mission:BRAIN Vice President, James Adedoyin, and the entire executive team who transformed President Mubarak’s vision into tangible success.

The Unilorin community is truly a force to be reckoned with, comprising students from different levels of their medical studies who managed to create an impact across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, all while juggling their exams.

I am forever proud to have been a part of this impactful leadership, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of the Unilorin community.