Isaac Ladipo Oluwole

Isaac Ladipo Oluwole (1892–1953) was a Nigerian medical doctor who made important improvements to the public health services in Nigeria.

Early years

Isaac Ladipo Oluwole was born around 1892, son of the Anglican bishop Isaac Oluwole and Abigal Johnson, a music teacher. Later Oluwole and Vaughan both went to the University of Glasgow in 1913 to study Medicine.

After graduating as MB, ChB in 1918, Oluwole returned to Nigeria.

Medical officer

In 1922, the Lagos Town Council that was previously dominated by Europeans opened doors to newly elected African members. The new members started to make a push for the employment of an African medical officer for public health in the Lagos municipal board of health. In 1924, the council decided to recruit an African who could speak the local language; Oluwole and two others applied for the position. Oluwole was successful but prior to assuming duty, he had to undergo further training in public health administration.

Public health education Among other achievements, Oluwole opened the Massey Street Dispensary, reclaimed swampy islands to aid in malaria control and built a new abattoir to improve food hygiene. He introduced regular sanitary inspections and vaccinations of children.