By Ayomide Otitoju
Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide, a pioneering Nigerian pediatric surgeon, has made history as the first African female pediatric surgeon to volunteer with Mercy Ships, a global humanitarian organization that provides free medical and surgical care through the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy™.
Currently serving in Sierra Leone — a country with only one pediatric surgical specialist — Dr. Seyi-Olajide is helping to bridge the continent’s critical healthcare gap by providing life-changing surgeries to children in need.
Trained in Nigeria, she obtained her medical degree from Ahmadu Bello University and completed her surgical training at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. A fellow of both the West African College of Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, she is also pursuing a Ph.D. and fellowship in Montreal, Canada.
“Coming from a low- or middle-income country isn’t a reason to stay on the sidelines,” Dr. Seyi-Olajide said. “I want to be part of the change that’s happening.”
Her days aboard Global Mercy are filled with early morning ward rounds, surgical procedures, and late-night visits to recovering patients. Despite the intensity, she describes her work as profoundly fulfilling.
“It’s not just about treating the patient,” she said. “It’s about caring for the whole person. That’s what happens here.”
Driven by a deep passion for child health, Dr. Seyi-Olajide emphasized the urgency of pediatric care in Africa, noting that “about 40 to 45 percent of the population in most sub-Saharan African countries are children under 15 years.”
Beyond surgery, she also contributes to academic research. Her recent study — a systematic review of congenital anomaly screening in low- and middle-income countries — identified practical solutions to improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
By combining surgical skill, academic excellence, and compassion, Dr. Seyi-Olajide continues to inspire a new generation of African medical professionals while transforming the lives of children across the continent.
