From a young age, Dr. Tunde Onamusi wanted to become a medical doctor. Nothing could shake that dream. His reason was simple and sincere: “Doctors were highly respected, lived modestly, and while they weren’t rich, they were comfortable.” That was his impression growing up, and it shaped his lifelong ambition.
A Dream Fulfilled
Today, Dr. Onamusi, a proud indigene of Ijebu Itele in Ogun State is a distinguished occupational medicine physician with over 35 years of clinical experience, the majority of which has been abroad.
He currently serves as Medical Director for a major refinery and two affiliated petrochemical companies in Ohio, USA. In addition to his corporate leadership, he consults for the State of Ohio and contributes his expertise within the medico-legal arena, offering professional evaluations that support dispute resolution and informed decision-making.
Early Hurdles and Losses
Dr. Onamusi’s journey began in Sapele, Delta State, where his father held a top management role at African Timber and Plywood Company. His early childhood was shaped by both promise and pain. He lost his mother at just one and a half years old. Then, in 1967, the Biafra civil war forced his family to relocate to Lagos.
Despite the upheaval, he showed academic promise at Lagos Municipal Council Primary School on Itire Road, Lagos, consistently ranking among the top five students. But one subject stood in his way: mathematics.
The Maths Barrier
“I was good in other subjects, but when it came to Maths, I just couldn’t get it right,” he recalls. Unfortunately, the common entrance exams for secondary school hinged on English and Maths. This made gaining admission to elite schools like Federal Government Colleges and other top schools like Ijebu Ode Grammar School nearly impossible.
But destiny intervened.
A cousin had picked up an entrance form for Dr. Onamusi’s older brother to attend Ijebu-Ife Community Grammar School. His brother declined, unwilling to start over. Dr. Onamusi seized the opportunity, filled out the form, and was admitted in 1975 as one of the school’s pioneer students.
A Turning Point at IICGS
Boarding at IICGS came with challenges. “There was no electricity. We used lanterns. The environment was still developing,” he said. His father’s warning was clear from day one as he was being taken to school for the first time. He told him, “Tunde ti oba SE dada, o ma lo ko se ni…meaning, Tunde if you don’t do well in school, you’ll have to learn a trade.” That became his motivation.
Still, Maths remained a struggle. In Form 2, he scored 19% in all three terms. His father was furious and demanded improvement. That push led him to seek help. An NYSC teacher, Mr. Chidozie, sparked his interest, and a new classmate, Wale Ogunbanjo who was strong in the science became a pivotal mentor.
“I can’t tell my story without Wale. God used him to polish my mathematics,” Dr. Onamusi says. From then on, his scores soared to 85% and above.
Mentorship and Academic Excellence
Dr. Onamusi quickly became a favorite of the school’s principal, Mr. Segun Sosanya described as a visionary educator who elevated the academic standard by bringing in university-level instructors and enforcing a rigorous curriculum. By Class 4, Onamusi and his peers sat for GCE exams and had good grades.
Though their final year was marked by internal unrest and controversy, the group remained academically formidable. They went on to deliver one of the highest WAEC results in Ogun State, with several students including Dr. Onamusi earning the prestigious “Grade 1” result as it was then designated.
The Admission Struggle
Despite stellar WAEC and GCE results, Dr. Onamusi encountered yet another hurdle: His university admission. He scored 280 in the UME but fell short of the cut-off for Medicine at the University of Lagos. Undeterred, he tried again the following year and scored 289—above the required threshold. Still, admission eluded him.
His father, who typically hands-off when it came to such matters, stepped in and visited UNILAG to advocate on his behalf. A professor acknowledged that he was indeed qualified but candidly explained that admissions were often influenced by political and social connections. He was offered a spot in Dentistry, but Onamusi declined. His heart was firmly set on Medicine.
As a temporary path, he enrolled in Biochemistry and reapplied—this time to the University of Ibadan. He was given admission, and once there, he thrived.
Dr. Onamusi credits his academic foundation at Ijebu-Ife Grammar School as pivotal to his success in medical school and beyond. The school instilled in him the discipline of self-directed learning. Like many of his peers, he studied independently using the WAEC syllabus as his guide. That habit gave him the confidence to skip lectures in medical school when necessary, choosing instead to study ahead of the class on his own terms.
This approach proved invaluable during his postgraduate exam preparations in both the UK and the U.S. It’s no surprise that he excelled in every exam he sat for without a single failing grade.
Beyond Nigeria
After graduating in 1988, Dr. Onamusi knew his future wasn’t in Nigeria. Following his housemanship at General Hospital, Lagos, he skipped NYSC and worked briefly with Dr. Oladapo Campbell, a radiation oncologist who encouraged him to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.
In 1991, he arrived in the UK on a six-month visa, determined to pursue postgraduate medical training. The qualifying exams were notoriously difficult, with a dismal pass rate that discouraged many. “My wife is a prayer warrior,” he recalls. “She prayed while I studied.”
That November in Glasgow, the examination hall was filled with hundreds of doctors from across the globe; each vying for a coveted pass in one of the most rigorous medical assessments. Among them were about fifteen Nigerian doctors, all hopeful, all prepared. When the results were released, only two from the Nigerian cohort had passed. Dr. Onamusi was one of them.
Legacy of Grace and Grit
From lantern-lit classrooms to boardrooms in Ohio, Dr. Onamusi’s journey is a clear example of perseverance, divine timing, and the power of mentorship. His story reminds us that dreams rooted in simplicity can blossom into legacies of global impact.
Beyond the UK: A New Horizon
Passing the UK medical qualifying exams was a major milestone. But Onamusi wasn’t one to rest on his laurels. With a four-year work permit secured, he initially set his sights on surgery but later pivoted toward pediatrics. Yet even then, his heart was set on a bigger dream: practicing medicine in the United States.
His decision was shaped by the realities he observed in the UK. “At the time, it was difficult for a Black doctor to rise to the level of consultant,” he recalls. “Even British-born Black consultants were rare. It wasn’t just about race. It was also about immigration control.” he noted.
Undeterred, he began preparing for the U.S. medical licensing exams while still working in the UK. He purchased all the necessary textbooks and diligently completed the first two stages of the exams. In his fourth year in the UK, he moved to the U.S. to take the final step. And he passed.
The American Dream Realized
By October 1995, Dr. Onamusi had relocated to the United States with his young family, fulfilling a verbalized vow born of a tense encounter years earlier. During a visit to the UK Home Office to change his immigration status from visitor to resident-in-training, a stern and dismissive official informed him without warmth or encouragement—that his visa would not be extended beyond the standard four-year limit typically granted for postgraduate medical training.
Without flinching, Onamusi responded, “I’ll be out of here in less than four years.” And true to his word, he did.
Reflecting on the moment, Onamusi who is also an ordained reverend said, “She meant it as a threat, but to me, it was an inspiration, a challenge, and ultimately, a loss for the UK.”
By 2001, Dr. Onamusi had completed all his required studies, including postgraduate training and board certification in Internal Medicine, followed by specialized training and board certification in Occupational and Environmental Medicine from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
His wife, Temitayo Onamusi, a devoted nurse with a heart for service also secured employment. Together, they began building a life anchored in faith, compassion, and purpose.
“Working in the U.S. has been a pleasant experience,” he says. “I haven’t faced systemic discrimination; just the occasional disgruntled patients who make racist remarks. In such cases, I simply call security to walk them out. But overall, it’s been a rewarding journey.”
A Heart That Still Beats for Home
Now in his 60s and with over three decades abroad, Dr. Onamusi isn’t planning a permanent return to Nigeria. “The Lord has been so good to me,” he reflects. “I’m entering a season of gradual winding down. I envision spending a few months in Nigeria each year, then returning to the U.S for a rhythm of rest and reconnection.”
Faith at the Core
One thing remains constant: his unwavering passion for God. He believes that a life without God is hollow. His spiritual journey began in Nigeria, where he surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Though an ordained minister, he doesn’t pastor a local church. “I believe every believer is called to be an agent of hope and love,” he says. “My role is to support my local church pastors and be a voice of clarity. I preach occasionally, but my primary calling is to finance the kingdom. That’s my commitment.”
Wisdom from the Journey
Dr. Onamusi’s life lessons are steeped in humility and grace: “Live for Christ. Love people. Stay humble. Value relationships. Don’t burn bridges. Pursue peace with everyone.”
He believes “True peace and joy are indicators of a genuine walk with God. If a believer doesn’t manifest the fruit of the Spirit, such believer cannot claim to truly know God.”
A Marriage Anchored in Grace
Married for 34 years, Dr. Onamusi describes his wife, Temitayo, as a gift from God. “She is a solid Christian, uncompromising in her values. She is a devoted wife, exemplary mother, and accomplished professional, “
Temitayo gracefully balances her roles as a business owner and a mid-level psychiatric nurse practitioner in the U.S. Her quiet strength and unwavering faith have been a steady anchor in their journey.
“Our marriage grows sweeter with time,” Dr. Onamusi reflects. Together, they’ve raised three children and lovingly welcomed a nephew into their home when he was just nine years old.
“We keep God at the center of our home,” he says.