In a heartfelt ceremony filled with pride, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose, the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, witnessed the commissioning of Block C – the first phase of a new student hostel complex, a milestone made possible through the generous philanthropy of distinguished alumnus, Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, who funded the project as a meaningful contribution to addressing the institution’s infrastructural challenges and enhancing student welfare at the alma mater that helped shape his journey.

A 1985 Alumnus of the medical college, Dr. Ozuah is a distinguished and globally respected physician currently serving as the President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine in New York, the umbrella organization for Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a major academic health system serving millions of people in the US.
He returned to his alma mater to commission Block C, the first in a planned six-block student hostel complex. Named in his honour – Philip O. Ozuah Block – the newly completed facility stands as a testament to his philanthropic commitment to the College. The modern, fully equipped hostel is thoughtfully designed to provide students with a comfortable, secure, and conducive living environment. Dr. Ozuah’s remarks at the event carried the weight of personal testimony, as he reflected on his years as a medical student at the University of Ibadan.

“I stand here today not just as a donor, but as someone shaped by these very grounds,” Dr. Ozuah said. “This is not charity, it is a responsibility. A responsibility to give back to the institution that gave me so much.”

In a country where public universities struggle with overcrowding and underfunding, the new student hostel offers a lifeline – complete with spacious rooms, clean amenities, sustainable designs, and a sense of safety.

Bearing witness to the powerful ripple effects of giving back, the ceremony was well attended by Government officials, the University management and its Alumni, as well other top dignitaries from across the country, including the Deputy Governor of Oyo state – Barrister Adebayo Lawal; Deputy Governor of Enugu state – Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai; Chairman, Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) – Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; represenatatives of the Minister of Education and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

In her remarks, Dr. Dabiri-Erewa praised the effort as a sterling example of how Nigerians in the diaspora can be directly involved in reshaping the country’s educational and healthcare futures.

” Undoubtedly, we can reverse the medical tourism if we organise and harness the expertise of our health practitioners both at home and abroad”, she said.

While applauding the kind gesture from Dr Ozuah, Dabiri-Erewa said that with proper organisational structure and collaboration, Nigerian medical practitioners abroad can come together to build a world-class medical centre of excellence that will attract patients instead of losing them to foreign hospitals, thereby reversing medical tourism to Nigeria’s benefit.

Professor Kayode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, commended Dr. Ozuah’s bold intervention, stating, “Quality accommodation is not a luxury, it is a necessity for academic success. This donation represents hope, excellence, and the enduring values of service. We are proud of what this building stands for.”

Echoing his sentiments, Professor Bukola Adesina of the University’s College of Medicine called the structure “a critical milestone” in the school’s mission to provide holistic education, emphasizing that “a conducive learning environment begins with where students sleep.”

Oyo State’s Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, speaking on behalf of the state government, lauded Dr. Ozuah for his foresight and philanthropy. “This is the calibre of investment that changes lives—not just in infrastructure but in mindset,” Lawal noted. “You have created a legacy of generosity and responsibility that students and future leaders will walk through every day.”

Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai of Enugu state, echoed similar sentiments. “Dr. Ozuah is a son of the soil, and today, he’s made all of Nigeria proud. This is what it looks like when excellence meets patriotism.”

But beyond its architectural merits, the Philip O. Ozuah Block carries a symbolic weight. It is a call to action. It challenges other alumni – both local and abroad, to become active participants in shaping the future of Nigerian education. According to Emeritus Professor Samuel Omokhodion, President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide (ICOMAA-WW), “This is not just an act of giving, it is a spark. This edifice will house 168 students, but its real value lies in the inspiration it provides. It sets a standard. And now, we must rise to meet it.”

Indeed, the scale of the impact is already drawing attention. With inadequate student accommodation long being a challenge at the college, Block C offers immediate relief, reducing pressure on existing facilities and boosting morale among students. The new block also aligns with recent requirements from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, which stipulate that all clinical students be housed within the hospital premises, a goal now far more attainable.

As the Nigerian flag fluttered beside the college emblem, the mood on campus was one of hope. Students gathered with joy, many meeting Dr. Ozuah for the first time, grateful not just for the facilities but for the reminder that success does not have to mean detachment. One medical student remarked, “Seeing someone who once sat in these same lecture halls return to build for us just means so much. It reminds us that we can achieve, and we must remember where we come from.”

As the commissioning wrapped up, attention turned to the future. While Block C stands completed, five additional blocks remain to be funded. The university leadership, ICOMAA, and other stakeholders expressed confidence that this project would serve as a catalyst for further philanthropic action.

In the words of the Minister for Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, represented at the event by Mr. Adewale Aderibigbe, “This hostel is a beacon of unwavering commitment to education and healthcare. It reflects the kind of patriotism we must all emulate – giving back to uplift others.”

With the sun setting over the newly completed Block C, one thing was clear: Dr. Philip O. Ozuah had written a new chapter in the story of the University of Ibadan – one where alumni do not just look back in pride, but reach forward in purpose.