January 07, (THEWILL) – Dr Oladejo Olaleye, an alumnus of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, recently made history in the field of medicine when he led the Head and Neck Robotic Surgery Programme at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in the United Kingdom in the first-ever transoral robotic surgery in Leicester. Robotic surgery, known for its minimally invasive nature, high-definition visualisation and improved completeness of resections, promises to revolutionise the treatment of head and neck cancers.
Olaleye’s pioneering efforts ensure that patients will benefit from enhanced survival rates and a reduction in the toxicity of chemoradiation. Olaleye’s academic journey began in Nigeria where his excellence shone at Federal Government College, Ogbomoso.
After completing his Housemanship at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Olaleye embarked on a remarkable trajectory of growth and learning by pursuing a postgraduate training in the UK, navigating through Core training in Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deanery, and Higher Specialty training in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery on the West Midlands training programme. His journey culminated in obtaining the prestigious fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
During his specialty training at the University of Birmingham, Dr. Olaleye worked on human papillomavirus epidemiology and epigenetics in Oropharyngeal cancers, earning a PhD in 2018. His quest for excellence led him to two advanced Head and Neck Surgery Fellowships at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in the UK and the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia.
Armed with a wealth of experience and knowledge, Dr Olaleye returned to the UK and by the grace of God, performed the first transoral robotic surgery in Leicester. This groundbreaking achievement marked the initiation of the Head and Neck Robotic Surgery Programme, a significant contribution to medical science.
The story of Olaleye serves as an inspiration to both the present and future generations of medical students in Nigeria which highlights the remarkable impact they can have on the global stage through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to advancing medical science. He has been able to establish strong collaboration links between the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgery Department at CoMUI/UCH Ibadan, Nigeria, and the University Hospitals of Leicester UK.
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