A Legacy of Excellence in Medicine, Education, and Leadership
Early Life and Education
Born on August 9, 1933, in Nembe, Rivers State, Professor Theodore Idibiye Francis hailed from a distinguished lineage deeply rooted in leadership, intellect, and warrior traditions. His father, Theophilus Ayaebaekimiebi Francis, worked as an accounts clerk, while his mother, Comfort Atonbara Francis, was a schoolteacher.
His maternal grandfather, Reverend Canon Daniel Ogiriki Ockiya, was an eminent figure in Nembe, known for translating the Holy Bible, Common Prayer Book, and Sacred Songs into Nembe, making it one of the first Nigerian languages to have biblical texts. Additionally, his ancestors were renowned warriors, including King Josiah Constantine Ockiya Mingi VII, Amanyanabo of Nembe, who introduced Christianity to the kingdom and led military campaigns such as the 1895 Akassa Raid against British forces.
Francis began his education at St. Cyprian’s School, Port Harcourt (1939–1946), before moving on to Government College, Umuahia (1947–1952), where he excelled academically and played hockey and cricket. His brilliance earned him admission to University College, Ibadan (1952–1956), where he studied Medicine as a Federal Government Scholar.
After completing his premedical and preclinical training, he was among the last batch of Nigerian medical students sent to the United Kingdom for clinical training. Between 1956 and 1959, he studied at Guy’s Hospital Medical School, London, graduating with L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. in August 1959, and M.B.B.S. (Lond.) in November 1959.
Medical Achievements and Academic Excellence
Francis pursued postgraduate studies at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (1962), earning his D.T.M. & H (Liverpool). That same year, he became the 6th Nigerian to obtain the M.R.C.P. (London) and the 11th Nigerian to earn the M.R.C.P. (Edinburgh)—a testament to his extraordinary academic prowess.
He held several significant positions early in his career:
- House Officer, St. Olave’s Hospital, London (1955–1960)
- Medical Registrar, Walton Hospital, London (1962–1963)
- Senior Registrar, University College Hospital, Ibadan (1963–1964)
- Consultant Physician, University College Hospital, Ibadan (from 1964)
- Lecturer I, Department of Medicine, University of Ibadan (1964–1968)
- Senior Lecturer, University of Ibadan (1968–1972)
- Professor of Medicine, University of Ibadan (from 1972)
- Head, Department of Medicine, University of Ibadan (1974–1977)
At the University of Ibadan, he revolutionized medical education, breaking the long-held belief that achieving a distinction in Medicine was impossible. Under his leadership, two students achieved this milestone, setting a new precedent.
Between 1966 and 1968, he won a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship to Harvard University, Boston, where he was a Clinical Fellow and Research Fellow at the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory, Boston City Hospital, an institution renowned for producing two Nobel Prize winners in Medicine.
His accolades included:
- Member, Royal Society of Surgeons, England (1959)
- Member, Royal College of Physicians, London and Edinburgh (1962)
- Foundation Fellow, Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Faculty of Physic (1970)
- Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh (1972)
- Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, London (1975)
- Fellow, West African College of Physicians (1976)
- Foundation Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Sciences (1977)
Transforming Medical Education in Nigeria
In 1979, he was appointed Pioneer Provost of the College of Health Sciences and Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). His vision was to train a new generation of scientifically equipped doctors, ensuring that medical education aligned with global best practices.
A Call to Lead Nigeria’s First Universities of Technology
In 1981, President Shehu Shagari personally appointed Prof. Francis as the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s first Federal University of Technology—FUTA, Akure, recognizing his ability to build institutions from the ground up.
Despite skepticism surrounding Universities of Technology, Francis embraced the challenge, assembling a team of distinguished scholars and technocrats to lay FUTA’s foundation. Over his seven-year tenure (1981–1988), he transformed FUTA into a top-ranking technological institution, pioneering Nigeria’s shift toward technology-driven higher education. His success led to a wave of technology-focused universities across Nigeria, a model still in use today.
Global Influence and Contributions
Francis was a leading expert on liver diseases, making significant contributions to the epidemiology, pathology, and experimental studies of hepatitis B and other viral infections. He was a member of several esteemed medical societies, including:
- West African Society of Gastroenterology
- American Society of Gastroenterology
- International Association for the Study of the Liver
- Nigerian Society of Endoscopy
In 1973, he served as Vice-Chairman of the WHO Expert Panel on the Assessment of Audio-Visual Aids, further solidifying his global reputation.
He traveled extensively across five continents, serving as an external examiner for medical schools in Ghana, Lagos, the West Indies, and Obafemi Awolowo University, and collaborating with institutions worldwide.
Commitment to Community and Leadership
In 1989, Francis formed a Think Tank in Port Harcourt to address education, health, and rural development challenges in Nembe. His dedication earned him the title of Chief Ogiriki, formally installed by His Royal Highness, Justice Ambrose E. Allagoa, Mingi XI, Amanyanabo of Nembe, on April 14, 1990.
His emblem, colors, and motto reflected his heritage and values:
- Emblem: A shield supported by curved ivory tusks, symbolizing nobility and majesty
- Colors: Purple (devotion and loyalty), Blue (truth), and White (peace)
- Motto: “Mu Fere Mondi” – meaning “Go and Work”, emphasizing self-reliance
Personal Life and Final Years
Francis married Adebola Ore-lorun Erinoso in 1972, and together they had three sons and three daughters.
A devout Christian, he remained an active educator, researcher, and mentor until his final days. His humility, patience, and ability to inspire students, colleagues, and administrators set him apart as one of Nigeria’s most respected figures in medicine and education.
He passed away at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, on March 16, 1992, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, leadership, and service.
Conclusion
Professor Theodore Idibiye Francis was a visionary physician, educator, and administrator, whose contributions to medicine, education, and community development remain unparalleled. His dedication to excellence, humility, and service continues to inspire generations, shaping Nigeria’s medical and higher education landscape.
His role in launching FUTA at President Shehu Shagari’s directive remains one of the most defining moments in Nigerian academic history, proving that vision, resilience, and dedication can build world-class institutions.
