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NIGERIANS BREAKING RECORDS: A FETAL SURGERY MIRACLE


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Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye:  Nigerian Makes Medical History


Meet Professor Oluyinka Olutoye, the Ile-Ife trained medical doctor who stunned the world by successfully operating on a baby still in the womb!  He earned his MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University - OAU), Nigeria, in 1988 where he was also valedictorian.


He went on to earn a Ph.D. in anatomy from the Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. He completed his residency in general surgery at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and a fellowships in pediatric and fetal surgery at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA.



The Surgery That Shocked the World: Womb with a View Operation


The story begins with baby Lynlee Hope, diagnosed with sacrococcygeal teratoma - a big medical term meaning a dangerous tumor growing on her tailbone. By week 23, the tumor was winning, stealing blood from the tiny baby and threatening her survival.


It was 2016. Dr. Olutoye and his team in Texas, USA performed what many thought was impossible: removing the deadly tumor from the unborn baby at just 5 months pregnancy, then returning her safely to the womb to continue growing. 


One could say: "It was like repairing a watch while it's still running".


Doctors made a small cut on mama's belly. They carefully lifted out just the baby's lower body (she stayed connected to umbilical cord). Dr. Olutoye's steady, skillful hands removed the tumor in just 20 minutes. Baby was then tucked safely back inside her mama to continue ‘cooking’.  Three (3) months later, Lynlee Hope was ‘born again’ via C-section - healthy and tumor-free! This isn't Nollywood - this is real life!



The Man Behind the Miracle


  • World Renowned Paediatric Surgeon 

  • Born and bred in Nigeria

  • MBBS from Great Ife (OAU) – 1988, Valedictorian

  • Married to Dr. Toyin Olutoye, also a top pediatric specialist

  • Ph.D. in anatomy from the Virginia Commonwealth University

  • Surgeon-in-Chief at top US children's hospital

  • Nigerian Medical Association member

  • American Pediatric Surgical Association member

  • American Surgical Association member

  • Fellow of American College of Surgeons

  • Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics

  • Fellow of West African College of Surgeons

  • Past President of the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society

  • The E. Thomas Boles Jr. chair of pediatric surgery at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine.

  • Certified by the American Board of Surgery in Surgery and Pediatric Surgery

  • Visits Nigeria to mentor and train upcoming doctors


“I chose surgery because I liked being able to identify problems in the body and fix them.” Olutoye said.



Why Every Nigerian Should Be Proud of This:


✅ Global First: One of earliest successful open fetal surgeries at this stage;

✅ Medical Marvel: Proved babies can survive major surgery before birth and;

✅ Naija Brain Power: Shows what Nigerian-trained doctors can achieve.


Dr. Olutoye's journey from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to global fame proves:

"Our Nigerian education can compete anywhere in the world when given the right opportunities". He credits his diagnostic skills to the rigorous training from Nigerian professors who "could spot an abnormality from across the ward".


"Everything I am today started in those Ife lecture halls." - Dr. Olutoye



What This Means for Nigeria


Hope for Expectant Mothers: 

These techniques may someday help Nigerian babies with birth defects.

Inspiration: 

Proof that Nigerian doctors can lead global medical breakthroughs.

Brain Gain: 

Shows why we must support our medical professionals.

Final Word: 

Naija No Dey Carry Last!


While we celebrate our Grammy winners and football stars, let's not forget our medical heroes like Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye. His story proves that Nigerian excellence isn't just about entertainment – Naijans are making waves in science too!



Food for Thought:


How many more Dr. Olutoyes are in our teaching hospitals right now, or in any part of our education system, waiting for their chance to shine?


🔹 Share this story to inspire a young Nigerian doctor today!

🔹 Tag someone who needs to know about this medical hero.







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