Tinubu Celebrates Pioneer Physiotherapist Thompson Oshin at 100

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated renowned healthcare professional, educator and humanitarian, Dr Thompson Abayomi Oshin, on his 100th birthday, describing him as a trailblazer whose contributions transformed physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President hailed Dr Oshin as the father of physiotherapy in Nigeria and a pioneer of the profession across Africa.

Tinubu noted that Dr Oshin was the first Head and Consultant Physiotherapist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and later became the first Secretary-General of the African Physiotherapy Organisation after his election in Cairo in 1980.

The President commended the centenarian for elevating physiotherapy from a hospital-based technical service to a respected university-level profession, laying the foundation for modern physiotherapy education and practice in the country.

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He also highlighted Dr Oshin’s pioneering role in Nigeria’s health sector, including co-founding the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy in 1959 alongside Chief C.A. Ajao, identifying and documenting Oja Palsy, designing rehabilitation equipment such as corrective splints and folding wooden crutches, and publishing extensively on physiotherapy, rehabilitation and professional development.

Tinubu further praised Dr Oshin for his decades of service to the nation through advocacy, teaching and professional leadership, noting that he helped establish standards for physiotherapy education while mentoring generations of physiotherapists in Nigeria and across Africa.

The President also acknowledged the centenarian’s philanthropic contributions, including the donation of wheelchairs, crutches and rehabilitation equipment to hospitals, endowment of prizes for outstanding physiotherapy students at the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos, scholarships for nursing students, as well as donations of land, educational equipment and sporting facilities to schools.

Describing Dr Oshin’s life as one defined by sacrifice, dedication to humanity, professionalism and hard work, Tinubu expressed appreciation for his contributions to national development.

“As Dr Oshin celebrates this milestone occasion, the President thanks him for his labour for our nation and joins family, friends, and members of the medical profession in wishing him many more years in good health and strength,” the statement added.