Nigeria: FROM LAST-BUT-ONE TO LEADING THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE

FROM LAST-BUT-ONE TO LEADING THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE
— THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF DANIEL OLUSADE, PIONEER PRESIDENT OF FUTA MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (FUTAMSA)

In the quiet of his classroom—where grades often spoke louder than dreams—sat a boy whose eyes shimmered with purpose, though his mind struggled to keep pace. He wasn’t the brightest in the room, but deep inside, he carried a quiet conviction: one day, he would wear the coat of a great surgeon, even if the numbers suggested otherwise.

His name? Daniel Olusade — a 300-level Medical Student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the pioneer President of the FUTA Medical Students’ Association (FUTAMSA). A leader and a voice for many, only a few know the cracked path that brought him here.

The Boy Who Dared to Dream

In his primary and early secondary school days, Daniel was the student teachers barely noticed — except when calling out that infamous label: “last but one.” A consistent underachiever in a system that only celebrated the top five, he was often laughed at, pitied, or outright dismissed — even by his own father. Though loving and supportive, his father never condoned his academic struggles.

His appointment as class captain wasn’t earned through merit, but rather, a strategy orchestrated by his father and teacher to encourage him to focus and study. Yet, within Daniel lived a secret — a reckless dream fuelled by television shows about surgeons and the inspiring pages of Gifted Hands by Dr Ben Carson.

He wanted to become a surgeon. But when he dared to say it aloud, he was met with mockery. Teachers smirked, classmates laughed, and one teacher asked, “So you want to forget surgical tools inside your patient?” Even his father urged him to be more “realistic.”

But mockery only stirred determination. Daniel began to fight — not with the world, but with himself. He studied harder, committed to learning for knowledge, not just to pass. In one term, he moved from “last but one” to third in class. That single turnaround became the pivot that redefined his academic trajectory.

The Battle of JAMB and Broken Ceilings

Daniel’s journey to medical school would test every ounce of his faith and perseverance. It took four attempts — each filled with lessons in grace, grit, and near-miracles.

JAMB 2017: 220/400
First attempt. Applied to DELSU. Also tried OAU’s pre-degree programme. Outcome? Rejection. But he didn’t give up. He recalibrated.

JAMB 2018: 277/400
Applied to OOU and OAU. Secured a second-choice admission into Industrial Chemistry at OAU. He accepted, but his heart remained in medicine.

JAMB 2019: 300/400
While juggling Industrial Chemistry at OAU, he tried again. Missed OAU’s medicine cut-off by 0.2 points. Was offered Physical Education instead. He declined.

JAMB 2020: 328/400

Physics – 99

Chemistry – 89

Biology – 89

English – 51

His best yet — but OAU once again slipped through his fingers by 0.05 marks. Then came FUTA. He scored 96% in their Post-UTME and had a final aggregate of 89%. He got in.

Four years. Four exams. Four heartbreaks. But Daniel had learned how to fail forward.

The Rise of a Trailblazer

Admission into FUTA’s MBBS programme wasn’t the destination — it was the launchpad.

Daniel became the pioneer President of FUTAMSA, a role that required vision, courage, and character. His leadership extended beyond campus:

He served as the National Director for the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace (SCORP) under the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA) — the umbrella body for all Nigerian medical students.

He is currently the Chief of Staff to the NiMSA President, serving at the highest level of student medical leadership in Nigeria.

But Daniel’s influence isn’t confined to medicine.

He became the first-ever Student Ambassador for JOMAV Homes and Properties, one of Nigeria’s leading real estate brands — a testament to his personal brand and trustworthiness.

In 2022, Daniel beat over 30,000 applicants from 2,400+ campuses across 140 countries to become a Millennium Fellow under the United Nations Academic Impact — an elite honour reserved for exceptional student leaders.

He was also selected for the FABONG Mentorship Programme, joining a select group of 12 top medical student leaders across Nigeria — just two from each geo-political zone. He represented South-West Nigeria.

Not Just a Comeback — But a Commanding Future

Daniel Olusade is no longer the boy who sat silently at the back of the class with an “unrealistic” dream. Today, he is defining a new era of medical leadership, blending intellect, influence, and intentional impact.

His story isn’t about natural genius, but about grace in motion. It isn’t about luck, but about divine alignment powered by consistent persistence.

For every young person who’s been laughed at, written off, or underestimated, Daniel’s life offers this truth:

“You don’t need a perfect start to create an extraordinary finish — because in the hands of purpose, even ‘last but one’ can become first among many.”