During the MANSAG 2025 Spring Conference, medical professionals and healthcare practitioners of Nigerian origin, from Nigeria and other descent practicing in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and abroad came together to discuss broadly on the theme: “Leadership in Education and Research“.
This year, the conference – consisting of an educational symposium and charity ball – took place on the 3rd of May, at the Village Hotel Leeds South, with the 130th Lord Mayor of Leeds City declaring the conference open. Born and raised in northern Nigeria, Councillor Abigail Marshall in her opening remarks commended the thriving community of Nigerian healthcare professionals and welcomed all guests and participants to an inspiring gathering of medical professionals dedicated to quality care and productive collaboration.
Asides the networking opportunities and fundraising for charities created by the MANSAG community through the charity ball part of this conference, the educational symposium aspect remains a largely academic and research-oriented event, with different seasoned speakers weighing in their expertise across various specialties. Concerning research design, publication, and pathways, Mr Funso Adedeji urged participants to do research to show impact and not just for research’s sake. Highlighting that most research done in Nigeria are conducted to look into problems, rather than solutions. While Dr Kehinde Sunmboye emphasised on demonstrating the change we want, making impact and creating solutions through research in whatever setting we find ourselves.
“In Nigeria, we find that most medical conferences and book of abstracts by medical bodies such as Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), only showcased research papers, completely lacking reports or abstracts on clinical audits and quality improvement projects. Hence, we must encourage medical professionals to conduct and disseminate clinical audit findings and quality improvement projects. As their roles cannot be neglected in the advancement of medical education and practice”, said one of the abstract presenters at the symposium.
Other presenters and experts also recommended that abstracts on clinical audits and quality improvement projects be specifically included and highlighted in the general call for research abstracts presentation at medical conferences. As many who are conducting this in their various facilities might not see the importance of presenting to a larger audience or know to send it in as a form of abstract for presentation. Thereby calling for collaboration between MANSAG and other medical associations to follow up on this in Nigeria.
Research must be inclusive and innovative, we must stop thinking “hospitals” only but start to think “communities” to be the change we can be. Be delusional in your plans, if you fall short, you hit the moon. ~ Dr Kehinde Sunmboye, Associate Professor Rheumatologist and Researcher.
With over 150 attendees, 12 abstract presentations (spanning multiple specialties), 6 masterclass breakout sessions (covering NHS finance, ethic and medical law, career portfolio, medical humanities, mental health and wellbeing), 3 plenary sessions, and 2 research workshops, some of the participants had these to say about the conference:
“It was a wonderful conference, and I especially benefited from the one-on-one conversations with specialists who I would otherwise have spent a long time trying to access. I am grateful for the opportunity to share knowledge in a familiar environment”. ~ Dr Samuel Olowokandi, General Practitioner, NHS, UK.
“This was my first MANSAG event and it was an amazing time working with my bosses and learning on the committee with people who have been doing this for a very long time. I found the event very useful; it was a good opportunity to serve, and I definitely picked up a lot of time management and organisational skills from being a part of the local organising committee (LOC) and anchoring the charity ball”. ~ Dr Stephanie Onyeakusi, Paediatric Resident, NHS, UK
“I’m glad I attended this conference, it has given me a lot of perspective and helped me gain clarity about my career pathways and options. It’s great to see and hear from a lot of colleagues with similar background and identity, especially for someone like me just starting out to set my foot into the NHS and research world”. ~ Dr A.N., MDCN and GMC licenced doctor.
