Joseph OTUBU – Quintessential Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at 80
By: Bissallah Ekele, Ibrahim Yakasai, Patrick Daru and Emmanuel Udoeyop
Professor Joseph Ariogboma Mogbaeyicheremi Otubu is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, teacher, trainer, academic, researcher, administrator and above all a clergyman.
Born on 2nd June, 1946. He is the second child of Late Elder Dr. Godfrey Itse Mene Otubu, the Former Baba Aladura and Prelate of Esocs Church. He is from Oghara in Ethiope West LGA, Delta State. He attended Primary School at Salvation Army School in Enugu.
After completing his secondary school at Western Boys High School, Benin City and Higher School at International School, Ibadan., he was admitted to University of Ibadan in 1966 and graduated Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1971.
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Professor Otubu had his postgraduate residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City (1973 to 1975), Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle, UK (1975 to 1976), Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK (1976 to 1977) and Queen Charlotte Hospital, London (1977).
He holds a Diploma in Anaesthesia (D.A) 1972 from University of Ibadan; a Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), 1980 from University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Texas; and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Experimental Gynaecology, from the University of London.
He obtained his Membership, MRCOG (1977) and later Fellowship, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG) in 1989. Also holds the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College (FMCOG 1981) and the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS 1984).
Otubu received extensive training in the Subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He was first Nigerian who did the subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas (1979 – 1981). He did one clinical year and one laboratory year, during which he studied the hormonal microenvironment of uterine Fibroids.
He continued clinical training in Infertility at the Hammersmith Hospital, London where he studied the pathophysiology of experimental hydrosalpinges in rabbits for a Doctor of Philosophy degree of the University of London. He also received training in Fallopian tube microsurgery under the world-renowned Fallopian tube Micro surgeon Professor Lord Robert Winston.
With these qualifications, skills and exposure many would have stayed back in the UK or USA but not JAM Otubu. That is true patriotism! He returned and was appointed Lecturer/Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ahmadu Bello University/Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria (1979).
He later relocated and became Senior Lecturer/Consultant (1984-1987); Associate Professor (1987-1990) and Professor/Consultant (1990-2001) at University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. Perhaps, it was at Jos that his teaching, training and mentorship impacted most.
Residency training in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was at its peak, as resident doctors from other training centres came as supernumeraries or on short-term rotations to the Ultrasound and Endoscopy Units. To his credit Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy services were established and performed regularly – one of the firsts in the country!
During his tenure as Head of Department and later Dean of Medical School at the University of Jos, he established a subspecialty unit of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility that was best equipped in the country for infertility work-up as at the time. Most of the equipment including the magnificent ultrasound machine (Philip SDR 1550) were purchased using his personal funds. Incredible!
Otubu as Chairman (1998 – 2003), International Representative Committee (Nigeria), Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, he facilitated the attachment and secondment of many resident doctors from our training centres to the United Kingdom to have further exposure and obtain the Membership and Fellowship of the Royal College.
Unfortunately, many (like one of the authors of this article) did not come back to the country on completion of their training, for obvious reasons!
In 2006, Prof Otubu was appointed the Pioneer Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja and First Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja. As Foundation Provost, he is credited for ensuring that all lecturers in the College were medically qualified. A unique status, the College enjoys till date!
The postgraduate trainer has supervised several M.Sc. students and many PhD dissertations. He has trained over sixty consultant Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, some of who are Professors (including the writers of this article).
He has served as external examiner to several medical schools in Nigeria, Ghana and NIPPS, Kuru. He is a recipient of several research grants and has over 100 publications in high impact Journals. A reviewer of many Journals, he was Editor-in-Chief, Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1989-1999) and Editor-in-Chief, African Journal of Infertility and Assisted Conception.
Despite being the second son of the Late Baba Aladura Dr. G.I.M Otubu, he still found time to obtain a diploma in theology from the famous Emmanuel College of Theology at the University of Ibadan. He has served in different capacities in Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigerian Interreligious Council (NIREC). He was infact, Vice President, Christian Association of Nigeria!
Professor Otubu is still fit and active. He is currently Executive Director, Centre for Reproductive Health Research (CRHR), Abuja and a Visiting Professor to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
If patriotism, integrity, devotion, dedication, discipline, hard work and impactful life are the parameters used for the award of National Honours in Nigeria, then Professor JAM Otubu, is more than qualified for the highest honour in the land – Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR). But in our country, these virtues are either minor criteria or indeed contra-indications!
On the 80th anniversary of Professor Joseph Otubu’s birth (the Oak Jubilee), which comes up on 2nd June 2026, we acknowledge and appreciate him; our own Mwalimu; a champion of women health; a mentor who has continue to build several disciples in the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology; an academic par excellence; an idealist with very firm principles; a stickler to rules almost to a fault and a Man of God. Indeed, a prophet should have honour among his own kin and in his own house. And so, we celebrate and wish him a very happy birthday and plenty of God’s blessings!
Professor Otubu is happily married to Lady Josephine Aje Maria Otubu, (retired Director of Audit, University of Jos). They are blessed with two children (Dr. Nere Otubu, medical practitioner and Mr. Michael Otubu, IT specialist) and two Grandchildren, Ethan and Nicole. The two daughters-in-law, Anita and Suzan also deserve special mention because they have brought joy to the family!
Authors:
• Ekele, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
• Yakasai, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bayero University, Kano
• Daru, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
• Udoeyop, Assistant Professor, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 24TH 2026)
