Stellenbosch – A 21-year-old Nigerian national, David Obagbuwa, has entered South Africa’s medical profession after graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from Stellenbosch University.
Obagbuwa, originally from Lagos, was capped on Thursday after completing the medical programme he joined in 2020 at the age of 15. His achievement places him among the youngest qualified doctors in South Africa and has drawn interest across the region, including in the Kingdom of Eswatini, where youth access to specialised training remains a key development issue.
He moved to South Africa with his family when he was 11 and later attended Kharwastan Secondary School in Durban. An administrative misunderstanding led to his placement in Grade 9, but his academic performance quickly stood out, allowing him to continue despite being younger than his peers.
His journey through medical school came with challenges, including adjusting to being the youngest student in lecture halls and coping with the academic intensity of the programme during the Covid 19 pandemic. Over time, he adapted and completed the degree ahead of the typical age for medical graduates.
Obagbuwa has been placed at Pholosong Hospital on Gauteng’s East Rand for his internship. He has expressed interest in both clinical practice and medical research, with the intention of contributing to South Africa’s healthcare system.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University also marked the graduation of the MBChB Class of 2025 during a pledge ceremony attended by graduands, their families and academic staff, where new doctors committed themselves to professional and ethical standards.
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