NAF Officer Clinches Double Honours at West African Surgeons’ Conference

A senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Group Captain A.O. Akinuli, has made history by winning two prestigious awards at the 66th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), held recently in Accra, Ghana.

Group Captain Akinuli, a specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was recognised for his exceptional performance in the 2025 Fellowship Examinations of WACS, receiving both the Prof. Olayinka Otuyemi Prize for the best dissertation across all surgical specialties and the Prof. Emmanuel Oladapo‑Adekeye Prize, which honours the best dissertation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Remarkably, the officer achieved these distinctions on his first attempt. In a statement, the NAF hailed the achievement as a reflection of its commitment to capacity building and specialised medical training, describing the awards as a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and academic excellence of its personnel. The Service further emphasised that such accomplishments contribute to enhancing Nigeria’s reputation in the regional medical and surgical community, while also showcasing the military’s investment in human capital beyond traditional defence roles. The dual honours won by Group Captain Akinuli not only bring pride to the Nigerian Air Force but also demonstrate our commitment to developing world-class medical expertise within our ranks,” the statement said. “This achievement underscores the Service’s dedication to combining operational readiness with specialist healthcare contributions, particularly in areas that directly benefit both military and civilian populations". The WACS conference, one of West Africa’s most significant surgical gatherings, attracted surgeons, trainees, and health policymakers from across the sub-region. The event, which ran from February 8 to 12, focused on capacity building, innovations in surgical practice, and strategies to strengthen regional surgical systems. Participants shared research, discussed policy approaches, and explored emerging technologies in surgery, including artificial intelligence applications and novel training methodologies. Medical experts attending the conference lauded Group Captain Akinuli’s performance as a benchmark for professional excellence, noting that such recognition is particularly rare for candidates achieving top honours on their first attempt. His dual award is expected to inspire other military and civilian medical practitioners across the region. The NAF reiterated its commitment to fostering excellence, innovation, and professional development, adding that achievements like Akinuli’s reflect the broader strategy of investing in personnel who can drive progress both within the armed forces and the wider Nigerian society.