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Meet Dr. Who Successfully Removed Tumour From A Baby In Her Mother’s Womb

Published

9 months ago

October 25, 2024

Dr. Olutoye Oluyinka is a distinguished Nigerian pediatric surgeon and medical researcher renowned for his pioneering work in fetal surgery.

He gained international acclaim in 2016 when he and his team successfully operated on a baby in utero, removing a life-threatening tumor and then returning the baby to the womb, where she continued to develop until birth.

Educated in Nigeria and the United States, Dr. Oluyinka has held prominent positions, including co-director of the Texas Children’s Fetal Center and later as the chief of surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

Early Life

Professor Oluyinka Olutoye, born in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 15, 1967, into a family with a long history in academics and the military from Idoani, Ose local government in Ondo state. His father, Major General (rtd) Olufemi Olutoye, was a well-known military commander and traditional leader and his mother, Professor Omotayo Olutoye, was an academic. Olutoye’s early ambitions to become a doctor were inspired by his upbringing in this environment, which gave him a burning desire for perfection.

He completed his primary education at Lagos University Staff School, before going on to King’s College Lagos for his secondary education. After that, he attended Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, where he obtained his medical degree (MBChB) and graduated as the class valedictorian in 1988.

Following his medical studies in Nigeria, Olutoye relocated to the United States to begin his postgraduate training in paediatrics at Howard University General Hospital and received his Ph.D. in Anatomy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1996. Afterward, he did his general surgery residency at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital before specializing in pediatric surgery during his fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Career and Surgical Breakthroughs

The surgical achievement that made Professor Olutoye famous worldwide was the successful removal of a massive tumour called a sacrococcygeal teratoma from a 23-week-old fetus. He performed this complex treatment which involved briefly removing the fetus from the womb, removing the tumour, and then returning the fetus to the womb to continue developing at Texas Children’s Fetal Center. The baby, Lynlee Boemer, was delivered via C-section many weeks later in good health.

His experience includes various speciality procedures for fetal and newborn disorders such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, lung abnormalities, chest wall deformities, omphalocele, gastroschisis, and difficult wound management. His research interests are on inflammatory responses in fetal wound healing, with the goal of discovering techniques to improve results in the treatment of congenital abnormalities.

In 2015, Professor Olutoye Oluyinka and a team of Nigerian doctors received international prominence for successfully separating conjoined twins Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata in a complicated surgery that was enthusiastically celebrated. His success in these pioneering surgeries has given him a reputation for innovative feats, which was reinforced in 2016 when he led another team to save a fetus from a life-threatening tumour, demonstrating the possibility of life-saving surgeries even before birth.

Awards, Achievements, and Recognitions

Professor Olutoye’s efforts have been recognised both in Nigeria and beyond. His alma university, Obafemi Awolowo University, honoured him with the coveted Great Ife Alumni Award for Excellence in the Sciences and admitted him into the Hall of Distinction. Other awards include the Molecular Surgeon Research Achievement Award from Baylor College of Medicine’s Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, the Mark A. Wallace Catalyst Leader of the Year Award from Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Denton A. Cooley Surgical Innovator Award.

President Muhammadu Buhari gave him Nigeria’s National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award in 2022, acknowledging his significant contributions to medicine. Beyond his achievements, Olutoye’s work has acted as an inspiration, demonstrating that life-saving medical treatments can be performed before birth, a watershed moment in contemporary medicine.

Research by Professor Olutoye is still concentrated on new approaches to fetal and neonatal surgery. His work as the pediatric surgery chair at The Ohio State University College of Medicine aims to improve outcomes for complicated congenital conditions and provide important new understandings of how inflammatory responses affect fetal repair. His research on animal models provides hope for addressing severe congenital defects and reducing issues in newborn patients.
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Related Topics:#Dr. Godsknow Igali Dr. Olutoye Oluyinka

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26-year-old Nigerian Fatally Stabbed In London

Published

9 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Two individuals have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old Nigerian, Ayowale Aladejana, in New Cross, southeast London.

The Metropolitan Police reports that detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Ayowale charged a man and woman with murder.

“Ben Wazabanga, 23 (24.10.2001) of Fairfax Road, Bedford was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.

“Ronique Belfon, 23 (10.05.2002) of Morinsbury Road, Bedford was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August,” the report read.

Speaking on the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, was quoted as saying, “Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us.”

The investigation was reportedly launched after officers were called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, August 2.

The officers were said to have responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and medics from London’s Air Ambulance, however, Ayowale died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

The report added that a post-mortem examination conducted on Sunday gave a preliminary cause of death as stab wound to the chest.

Ayowale’s family are also reportedly being supported by specially trained officers.

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Trump Threatens 250% Tariffs On Foreign Pharmaceuticals

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9 hours ago

August 5, 2025

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US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250 percent, after starting at a lower level, while adding he plans to also unveil fresh duties on foreign semiconductors.

“We’ll be putting (an) initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years, maximum, it’s going to go to 150 percent,” Trump said in an interview on CNBC.

“And then it’s going to go to 250 percent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country,” he added.

In the same interview, Trump said he expects to raise the US tariff on Indian imports “very substantially over the next 24 hours” due to the country’s purchases of Russian oil.

While Trump has aimed at products from different countries with varying tariff rates after imposing a 10-percent levy on almost all trading partners in April, these have excluded certain products he planned to target separately.

These sector-specific tariffs have generally come after government investigations that look into the national security concerns surrounding certain imports.

After earlier embarking on probes on imported semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, the Trump administration has signaled plans to wrap up these studies, which could lead to new tariffs.

Already, Trump has slapped steep tariffs of 50 percent on imported steel and aluminum, and also rolled out a separate but lower duty on autos and parts.

AFP

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UK Opens Application For Chevening Scholarships

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13 hours ago

August 5, 2025

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The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced that applications for its Chevening Scholarships are officially open, with prospective scholars encouraged to apply between August 5 and October 7, 2025.

The Chevening programme offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees at UK universities to individuals with demonstrated leadership potential and a strong commitment to driving positive change in their home countries and globally.

In a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja, the Head of the Scholarships Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Emma Hennessey, described the programme as highly competitive, selecting only the most outstanding candidates from across the world.

“Chevening’s highly competitive selection process ensures that those chosen to become Chevening Scholars or Fellows represent the brightest and most driven individuals from around the world.

“Chevening Alumni use their world-class education, global networks, and confidence gained in the UK to create meaningful, lasting change when they return home, whether by tackling global challenges or making a tangible impact in their own communities.

“If you can clearly demonstrate the skills needed to join them — outstanding leadership, influence, and networking skills — I strongly encourage you to apply.

“If you’re not quite there yet, I encourage you to take the time to build the experience that will make your application competitive,” Hennessey noted.

According to the statement, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, urged Nigerians with leadership potential to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Chevening is more than a scholarship — it is a gateway to a global network of leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” he said.

“Whether your aspirations lie in shaping public policy, launching a business, or addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, the Chevening Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom to advance your knowledge and skills.

“While there is no ‘typical’ scholar, we seek individuals with the passion, ideas, and influence to drive meaningful change in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our alumni network includes dynamic professionals across diverse sectors who are making significant contributions in their fields.

“If you have the potential to lead positive change in your community, Nigeria, or globally, I encourage you to submit your application before the 7 October 2025 deadline.

“Apply today and take the first step toward this life-changing experience,” he said.

Applications must be submitted online via chevening.org/apply.

Interested applicants are also encouraged to review available guidance at chevening.org/guidance to determine their readiness for the competitive application process.

Since its launch in 1983, the Chevening programme has supported over 60,000 professionals from over 160 countries and territories.

The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations.