Dr Julius Oni returns to Nigeria after 25 years in the U.S., aiming to improve healthcare with his new facility, DOC Medical Nigeria.

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]r Julius Oni, a Nigerian associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, returned to Nigeria after 25 years in the U.S. to improve healthcare.

After spending 25 years in the United States, Dr Julius Oni, a Nigerian associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, has made the bold decision to return to his home country.

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In a video that quickly went viral, Dr Oni detailed his reasons for relocating, saying, “I reverse Japa from the U.S. to Nigeria 6 weeks ago,” referencing the popular Nigerian term ‘Japa,’ which means to flee or emigrate in search of better opportunities.

Dr Oni took a leave of absence from his prestigious position at Johns Hopkins, sold his house and cars, and moved back to Nigeria with his wife and children.

His decision to return, which many might find surprising, is rooted in a deep commitment to transforming healthcare in Nigeria and providing world-class orthopaedic care to his fellow Nigerians.

In addition to his academic career, Dr Oni is the CEO of XCITE Capital, a private equity firm. His return is part of a broader mission to ensure that Nigerian patients receive the same quality of care available in developed countries.

To this end, he has established DOC Medical Nigeria, a facility dedicated to providing high-quality musculoskeletal care.

Dr Oni shared that his efforts are already bearing fruit, with patients travelling from neighbouring countries like Ghana and even from the UK to receive care.

His goal is to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for orthopaedic surgery by offering top-tier services locally.

In a caption on his Instagram account, Dr Oni highlighted some of his early achievements since opening DOC Medical Nigeria, including performing his first series of surgeries and organising free medical clinics in collaboration with other organisations.

He also mentioned that he has begun consulting with patients outside Nigeria, further expanding his reach and impact.