The University of Ibadan (UI) has inaugurated the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum, a first-of-its-kind repository dedicated to preserving the history of physiotherapy in Nigeria and Africa. The institution described the facility as a lasting tribute to one of the continent’s foremost healthcare pioneers.

Commissioning the museum at the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said the museum represents far more than a physical structure, noting that it preserves the story of a profession built on courage, vision and pioneering leadership.

According to him, the museum immortalises the extraordinary contributions of Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin, whose groundbreaking achievements laid the foundation for physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria.

“We are not merely opening a building; we are opening a window into the history of a profession and the inspiring story of a man who dared to break boundaries,” Adebowale said.

He described the University of Ibadan as a place where enduring legacies are built, adding that Dr Oshin’s career epitomises the institution’s commitment to excellence, innovation and national development.

Adebowale recalled that in 1954, Dr Oshin became the first African physiotherapist to qualify in London. He returned to Nigeria at a time when the profession was largely dominated by expatriates and went on to establish what has become one of Africa’s strongest physiotherapy traditions.

He noted that the late pioneer later became the first Head and Consultant Physiotherapist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, before establishing Nigeria’s first Bachelor of Science degree programme in Physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan in 1966.

“The Department of Physiotherapy stands today on the foundation he laid. It has evolved into a leading centre for physiotherapy education in Africa, producing graduates who have gone on to lead academic departments, strengthen professional regulation and advance healthcare delivery across Nigeria and beyond,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Adebowale also acknowledged Dr Oshin’s commitment to preserving the history of the profession, describing the heritage museum as the culmination of a lifelong effort to document the evolution of physiotherapy in Nigeria.

He commended the Thomson Abayomi Oshin Health and Education Foundation and members of the Oshin family for donating the museum to the university, describing the gesture as a significant contribution to scholarship and institutional memory.

He urged students and young professionals to draw inspiration from Dr. Oshin’s life of purposeful service and courageous decision-making.

“Dr Oshin chose the path less travelled. His life reminds us that excellence is built on deliberate choices, resilience and an unwavering commitment to serving humanity. This museum challenges every student and practitioner to uphold those same values,” he said.

Mrs Olapeju Nwuga, Chairperson of the commissioning ceremony for the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum, said reaching a century of life distinguished by integrity, service, excellence and compassion is a rare achievement. She added that true greatness is measured not by longevity alone but by the positive impact one leaves on society.

Mrs Nwuga commended the Oshin family for donating the state-of-the-art physiotherapy building that houses the museum to the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, describing the gesture as a remarkable act of philanthropy and a major contribution to education, healthcare and national development.

Other eminent speakers at the occasion, including the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran; the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo; and the President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, Prof. Samuel Omokhodion, described the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum as a fitting tribute to Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin’s pioneering contributions to physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria and Africa.

Congratulating the department on the successful commissioning of the museum, Prof. Omokhodion expressed confidence that the facility would serve as a lasting centre for learning, historical preservation and professional inspiration for future generations of physiotherapists.

Prof. Otegbayo described the museum as a living monument to Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin’s vision, integrity, selfless service and immense contributions to healthcare in Nigeria and across Africa.

He said the facility marks the beginning of preserving and telling the story of physiotherapy in Africa, where the profession took root in Ibadan, and will serve as a beacon of heritage, knowledge and professional pride, inspiring generations to emulate Dr Oshin’s enduring values of hard work, philanthropy, leadership and service to humanity.

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The Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adesola Odole, urged students to see the museum as “a classroom without walls” that teaches discipline, sacrifice, continuous learning and service. She also called on physiotherapy professionals to deepen their commitment to evidence-based practice, innovation, ethical leadership and impactful research.

Congratulating the Oshin family, the University community and all contributors to the project, Prof. Odole said the greatest tribute to Dr Oshin would be to ensure that the profession he pioneered continues to flourish and remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Dr Nse Odunaiya, Project Coordinator of the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum, said the idea for the museum originated from Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin himself during the construction of the physiotherapy building in 2022, when he requested that a room be dedicated to preserving the history of physiotherapy for future generations.

The inauguration of the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum formed part of activities marking the centenary of the celebrated physiotherapist, widely regarded as the doyen of physiotherapy in Africa.

The facility is expected to serve as a centre for research, learning and historical preservation, documenting the evolution of physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria while inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals.