We did not know how loaded he is but when heard that he was named as a recipient of the prestigious 2024 Diana Award, the award named after the famous Princess Diana, the late Princess of Wales, a member of the British royal family. The first wife of Charles III (now King Charles, the King of United Kingdom) and mother of Princes William and Harry, we knew we had to talk to him. thenigeriaeducationnews had an exclusive interview with the precious gem, the rave of the moment, ADENIJI-BELLO ABDULLAH,500 levels medical student at the Lagos State University College Of Medicine (LASUCOM) on his fascinating journey to winning the prestigious award, his passion for medicine, his dedication to social impact initiatives, and his vision for the future of education and healthcare in Nigeria.
CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?
My name is Adeniji-Bello Abdullah from Lagos State. I’m currently in my fifth year studying Medicine at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). It’s been quite an interesting journey so far. I’ve lived in Lagos for most of my life, and I’m happy to be here.
WHY ARE YOU STUDYING MEDICINE? WHY NOT ANOTHER FIELD?
Initially, I had other interests, like computer technology. But what stood out for me about Medicine was the idea of using the knowledge I acquire to help people and save lives. It seemed like something that couldn’t just be done by anyone. That sense of purpose drew me to Medicine, and that’s why I chose it.
CAN YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR TIME AT THIS UNIVERSITY?
I’ve been here for about four or five years now, and it’s been quite the journey. The environment is very conducive, and the lecturers are among the best in their fields. We have the privilege of learning from masters.
There’s also a culture here among students to excel and do well. The environment is safe, serene, and very supportive, which makes the experience even more interesting.
ARE YOU SAYING YOU’VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANY CHALLENGES?
Definitely, we’ve faced challenges. Sometimes, it’s very tough, but people before us have done it, and we’re no different. We’ll all get through it and graduate.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES WITH OTHER INITIATIVES LIKE ONE HEALTH LIFESAVER?
Balancing academics with extracurricular was one of our biggest challenges because school activities are time-consuming, and initiatives like this are also demanding.
The first thing I focused on was effective time management. I prioritized activities determining which tasks were pressing and which could be delegated.
We also built a team of about 10 people to help manage activities and collaborated with volunteers to strike a balance. This teamwork was key to making it all work.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, AND HOW HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR?
One of my greatest sources of inspiration is Adewumi, a former student here and a Diana Award recipient in 2021. I admired how he balanced his academics with extracurricular. He graduated, pursued a master’s degree at Cambridge University, and excelled in everything he did.
Also, my very good friend and co-founder of One Health Lifesavers has also been a huge inspiration. His unwavering spirit and ability to motivate and bring people together have been instrumental to our success.
WHAT IS THE DIANA AWARD ABOUT?
The Diana Award is the most prestigious honour for young people involved in social impact activities. It was established in memory of the late Princess Diana and recognizes youth aged 9–25 who have the power to change their world.
The award celebrates traits like empathy and kindness. This year was the most competitive yet, with only 200 recipients selected from 45 countries worldwide.
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU LEARNED YOU WERE ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS?
I was very happy, although I didn’t know what to expect. I applied because others had won before me, and I thought, “If they could do it, why not me?”
The application ended in August, and the award was announced in December, so it was a long wait. When I got the news, I was in my room, and I did a little dance! I was very proud of myself, and everyone around me was proud too.
DID YOU FACE ANY CHALLENGES WHILE WORKING ON THE INITIATIVE? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Time management was a big challenge, but we eventually found ways to prioritize and delegate tasks. Another major challenge was funding.
We reached out to different organizations and formed partnerships, particularly with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS). They provided crucial support for our blood donation drives and even connected us with other organizations when necessary.
Advocacy was another challenge. Convincing people that blood donation is safe and beneficial wasn’t easy, but we stayed persistent and spread awareness about its importance.
HOW HAS LASUCOM MANAGEMENT SUPPORTED YOU?
The management has been very supportive. They’ve provided venues and resources for our activities whenever needed. They’ve also helped us access some resources at a reduced cost, which has been very helpful.
WHAT’S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE CURRENT STATE OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA?
There’s always room for improvement. The government is making efforts, and teachers are doing their best with the resources they have.
In terms of facilities, there have been upgrades compared to a few years ago, which shows progress. I hope that in the next few years, Nigeria will compete with global standards in education.
DO YOU THINK NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES ARE DOING ENOUGH TO ENCOURAGE STUDENT INITIATIVES?
At the moment, they’re doing their best, and they don’t shut us down. However, there’s room for improvement. The support they provide can definitely be better, but it’s something we can work with for now.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU THINK TECHNOLOGY CAN ENHANCE EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE IN NIGERIA?
For education, technology can help by introducing digital libraries where students can access books remotely. E-learning platforms, where lecturers can record and upload lectures, would also be beneficial.
For healthcare, digital records and health information systems can improve patient care. Apps for health tracking and advanced diagnostic tools can also play a significant role.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS WHO WANT TO START IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES OR PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL COMPETITIONS?
The first step is to identify a problem and think of a way to solve it. Remember, it’s a collective effort—you’ll need a team to support you.
Partner with local organizations and don’t be afraid to take the first step, even if it seems scary. Along the way, you’ll grow, learn, and improve.
WHAT QUALITIES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Good leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal relationships are essential. These qualities help you navigate challenges, think on your feet, and build strong networks.
FINALLY, WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN NIGERIA’S EDUCATION SECTOR?
Be strong and don’t give up. Keep pushing, and you will achieve great things. Thank you so much.
