From a modest upbringing in Nigeria to earning a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Mississippi State University, Dr. Oluwabori Adekanye’s academic journey is one shaped by resilience, consistency, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.
In an interview with The Nigeria Education News, the researcher, whose work focuses on immunometabolism and disease progression, shared insights into his educational journey, the realities of scientific research, and why Nigeria must begin to invest more intentionally in research and innovation.
Reflecting on his early years, Adekanye described growing up in a family where financial struggles were common, including periods when his father was owed salaries for several months. Despite the challenges, he said his parents remained committed to giving their children quality foundational education.
“I do believe that a solid elementary education can outrightly chart the trajectory of any child,” he said.
Adekanye attended Federal Government College, Ikirun before proceeding to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, where he studied Human Physiology. He later earned a master’s degree in Environmental and Applied Physiology from University of Ibadan before moving to the United States in 2020 to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Mississippi State University.
His research focused on immunometabolism — a field that examines how immune cells function and how their metabolic activities influence diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer.
Explaining the relevance of the field, he noted that immune cells can potentially be reprogrammed to slow disease progression and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
“One of the things we are beginning to see is that immune cells can actually be trained to identify and attack cancer cells naturally,” he explained.
While his academic accomplishments include publications, conference presentations, and international collaborations, Adekanye revealed that one of the most defining moments of his career came when he presented his research before Dr. John Hall, co-author of the globally recognised Guyton and Hall Medical Physiology textbook.
“That was a full-circle moment for me,” he said. “These were people I looked up to while studying physiology. Being in the same room and having them listen to my work meant a lot to me.”
However, Beyond the achievements, Adekanye said the journey was filled with unseen struggles, including failed experiments, emotional isolation, uncertainty, and moments of deep discouragement.
He recounted a particularly difficult period when he was unexpectedly asked to leave a former PhD programme after already spending a year in it, forcing him to restart his academic journey.
“That was the moment I almost gave up,” he admitted. “I had put in everything already and suddenly had to start all over again.”
According to him, many young people often admire academic success online without understanding the sacrifices, consistency, and discipline behind it.
“Sometimes you spend months repeating the same experiment without results. There are days you do not feel like showing up, but you still have to show up,” he said.
Speaking on the state of research and innovation in Nigeria, Adekanye criticised the country’s low investment in graduate education, scientific infrastructure, and research funding.
He argued that Nigeria’s development cannot be separated from intentional investment in science, innovation, and technology-driven advancement.
“Great nations advance because of research and innovation,” he said. “The problem is that many people do not see immediate returns from investing in science, so it is often neglected.”
He called for increased government funding for research, establishment of standard laboratories across states and senatorial districts, and greater exposure of younger students to scientific learning through fairs, laboratory visits, and mentorship programmes.
He also encouraged students interested in science and research not to limit themselves by their immediate environment.
“The world is global,” he said. “Even when opportunities are not around you, there are opportunities elsewhere. Use the internet, stay informed, read widely, and position yourself.”
For Adekanye, education remains one of the most powerful tools capable of transforming lives and creating global opportunities for young Nigerians.
Addressing the growing narrative among some young people that “education is a scam,” the researcher offered a different perspective.
“Education is actually your ticket to access the world,” he said. “Even where your immediate environment does not value you, the world out there still values excellence and educated minds.”
The interview was conducted by The Nigeria Education News as part of its continuing conversations with Nigerian scholars, researchers, and education advocates shaping global conversations through academic excellence and innovation.
