Professor Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas (1917–1979), was a Nigerian medical pioneer specialising in facial reconstructive and plastic surgery. He trained as an assistant to the renowned Sir Archibald MacIndoe in this discipline. Professor Thomas was educated at Methodist Boys' High School in

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

and

Birmingham University The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a Public university, public research university in Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham (founded in 1825 as ...

in England. He was a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...

academic and the pioneer provost of the College of Medicine at the

University of Lagos The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a Public university, public research university located in Lagos, Nigeria, which was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the education in Nigeria#First generation universities, first generation universities in ...

, as well as the first Nigerian to be admitted to the

Royal College of Surgeons The Royal College of Surgeons is an ancient college (a form of corporation) established in England to regulate the activity of surgeons. Derivative organisations survive in many present and former members of the Commonwealth. These organisations ...

of England. He also served as the first head of the university's Teaching Hospital, LUTH. Before moving to Lagos, he was a senior lecturer and

surgeon In medicine, a surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgery. Even though there are different traditions in different times and places, a modern surgeon is a licensed physician and received the same medical training as physicians before spec ...

at the

University of Ibadan The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public university located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Initially founded as the University College Ibadan in 1948, it maintained its affiliation with the University of London. In 1962, it became an independe ...

, from its inception until 1962. In addition, he was an editor of the West African Medical Journal and a member of the

Federal Electoral Commission Independent National Electoral Commission may refer to: *Independent National Electoral Commission (Burundi) *Independent National Electoral Commission (Democratic Republic of the Congo) *Independent National Electoral Commission (Guinea) *Independe ...

in 1958. In 1969, he chaired the advisory committee for the establishment of the Midwestern Medical Centre now known as the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

References

*http://medicalnigeria.net/press_release_bashorun_j_k_randle.htm 1917 births 1979 deaths Academic staff of the University of Ibadan Academic staff of the University of Lagos Nigerian surgeons Plastic surgeons Methodist Boys' High School alumni 20th-century Nigerian medical doctors Vice-chancellors of the University of Ibadan 20th-century surgeons Alumni of the University of Birmingham {{Nigeria-academic-bio-stub