#020 - Driving Neonatal Progress in Rural Nigeria (ft. Dr. Olufunke Bolaji)

In this episode, Mbozu interviews Dr. Olufunke Bolaji, consultant pediatrician and neonatologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, shares her journey into neonatology, driven by mentorship, a love for children, and global learning experiences in Nigeria and the UK. She describes leading a high-performing neonatal unit in a rural Nigerian setting that has achieved Level 3 care, supported by strong hospital administration and collaborations.

Her research focuses on preterm births, neonatal sepsis, respiratory support, and newborn metrics, with emphasis on data-driven quality improvement. As a leader in the African Neonatal Association, she champions collaboration, advocacy, and “decolonizing” neonatal research by centering African-led priorities and implementation. She highlights the importance of teamwork, mentorship, data, and partnerships in merging clinical care with impactful research.