Gender disparities in different fields still takes center stage and despite the narrowing of gender gap daily in medicine, neurosurgery still stands as one of the most male-dominated specialties.
Changing the narrative in Nigeria is
Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu the first indigenous trained female neurosurgeon in Nigeria as well as the first female neurosurgeon certified in West Africa.
Currently working at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital as a neurosurgeon, she formerly served at National Hospital, Abuja.
A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.
An indigene of Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi State but born in Ilorin, Kwara State, where she had most of her education up to the university level, she found her the neurosurgery world quite captivating and intriguing, hence her decision to specialize in the discipline.
Her journey began upon stumbling on an opportunity at the Neurosurgery Centre in Sokoto state, despite discouragements and challenges encountered, she plunged right in without looking back. She bagged her degree in neurosurgery in Usmanu Danfodiyo University.
The now 41 year old got certified and has since taken other women under her wings as well as inspiring more women to consider specializing in neurosurgery.
In 2014, she co-authored the highly read publication, ‘Knotting of a nasogastric feeding tube in a child with head injury.
Noted for her exceptional work in neurosurgery and encouragement of women to join the neurological field, Aliu was listed in the top 100 persons of the year by Arewa socio-political group in 2016.
