The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has described urologists as “mediators” while paying tribute to renowned consultant urologist and Professor of Surgery, Prof. Olayiwola Shittu.
Prof. Shittu marks his 70th birthday and retires from the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
In a statement titled “Prof. Olayiwola Shittu: Celebrating the Urologist as a Mediator at 70,” Olaopa, who described Shittu as a brother and friend, praised his outstanding contributions to medicine, particularly in the areas of prostate cancer, reconstructive urology, and improving surgical outcomes in resource-constrained environments.
He said Shittu devoted his career to advancing urological care in Nigeria while mentoring generations of young surgeons, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in medical practice and education.
Olaopa noted that the importance of Shittu’s work becomes even more evident against the backdrop of Nigeria’s severe shortage of urologists, saying the scarcity places enormous responsibility on specialists in the field.
“The scarcity places enormous responsibility on specialists like Prof. Shittu, whose expertise serves patients across every stage of life. Yet perhaps nowhere is the value of the urologist more evident than in the care of the elderly. In many respects, therefore, the urologist becomes a mediator in later life, a physician who stands between disease and dignity, between physical decline and restored confidence, between anxiety and hope,” he said.
According to Olaopa, through the treatment of prostate diseases, urinary disorders, erectile dysfunction and other age-related genitourinary conditions, Shittu has helped countless elderly patients regain not only their health but also their confidence and sense of self-worth.
He noted that urinary disorders often impose significant social and psychological burdens on older adults, leading to embarrassment, social isolation and diminished self-esteem. He commended Shittu and his colleagues for restoring both bodily function and dignity to thousands of patients through expert diagnosis and surgical intervention.
Beyond clinical care, Olaopa said Shittu had also played a vital role in preserving intimacy and emotional connection among elderly couples by addressing conditions that often affect relationships in later life.
“Growing old does not have to diminish the human need for affection, companionship and emotional connection. Unfortunately, conditions such as erectile dysfunction, prostate disease, hormonal changes and chronic illnesses frequently create emotional distance between elderly couples. Shame, anxiety and misconceptions often silence conversations that should instead be guided with compassion,” he said.
Congratulating Shittu on his milestone, Olaopa described him as a patriotic, selfless and compassionate physician whose work bridged the gap between illness and recovery, while also helping couples overcome the emotional consequences of ageing through patient education, counselling, appropriate therapies and specialist referrals.
“In celebrating Prof. Shittu, we honour more than an exceptional urologist. We celebrate a physician whose calling transcends the operating theatre, a healer, teacher, counsellor and mediator whose service has improved the lives of countless Nigerians and whose legacy will endure in medicine and humanity,” Olaopa stated.
