Home > About Us > PhysioNews and Other News > Professor Isaac O. Owoeye Exits the Stage (1948-2025)

With gratitude to God, The Creator, the Nigerian Physical Therapy community celebrates the life and times of a great Icon in the history of Physiotherapy in Nigeria. We announce the passing away of Professor Isaac Olaleye Owoeye, PT, MS, PhD, FNSP, FNSSM. Professor Owoeye passed on August 29, 2025, aged 78. Dr. Isaac Owoeye was formerly Head of Department, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. He was also a past National Executive President of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, the first Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria. He wore several hats as an academic leader, an administration, a visionary, a mentor, and a role model for many, with his services spanning several decades. 

Funeral services and burial ceremonies were held for Professor Owoeye on October 23 and 24, 2025 in Lagos Nigeria.
- Academic Valendictory Program at CMUL
- Burial Program
- Online Memorial and tribute Page
- Prof. Owoeye's CV from 2018
- A Sample Work of Prof. Owoeye (2002)

Biography of Professor Isaac Owoeye
Professor Isaac Olaleye Owoeye was born on the 8th of July, 1948, in Ilesha, Osun State, Nigeria, to Mr. and Mrs. Owoeye, both of blessed memory. His father was a dedicated farmer and his mother a resourceful trader — industrious parents who instilled in their young son the values of hard work, honesty, and perseverance.
 
However, tragedy struck early in his life. He lost his father at the tender age of six, a loss that brought about immense hardship and changed the trajectory of his early childhood. Despite the challenges of growing up with limited means, and later becoming an orphan, young Isaac demonstrated remarkable courage and determination. His mother's unwavering faith and his own early encounter with God shaped his moral compass and ignited a burning desire to succeed against all odds.
 
Early Life and Education
Isaac began his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Oromu, Ilesha, where he quickly stood out for his intelligence, curiosity, and quiet strength of character. His early years were marked by financial hardship, yet he refused to let poverty define him. His teachers often described him as a bright, disciplined child who showed leadership even among his peers. After completing his primary education, he proceeded to Secondary Modern School, but due to financial constraints, he took up teaching jobs at an early age to sustain himself and support his education. This period of his life revealed his remarkable self-reliance and discipline — qualities that would later define his academic and professional career.
 
Through sheer perseverance, he saved enough money to attend Wesley College, Ibadan, where he obtained his Teacher's Certificate in 1965. His years at Wesley College were formative — they honed his passion for learning and awakened in him the realization that education was not just a means to personal advancement but also a powerful tool for societal transformation.
 
After qualifying as a teacher, he returned to teaching, working diligently while saving to further his education. His unrelenting drive led him to seek university admission, and in 1970, he was offered a place at the University of Ibadan to study Physiotherapy — a field that was still relatively new in Nigeria at the time. Despite the financial strain, he refused to be deterred. He sponsored himself through the university with his modest savings, embodying the essence of resilience and self-determination.
 
He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy, and soon after, he participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Zaria, Kaduna State, completing his service in July 1975. Those who met him during this time recalled a young man with an uncommon sense of purpose, humility, and a deep passion for helping others.
 
Academic and Professional Career
Professor Owoeye's academic journey officially began in 1979, when he was appointed as Lecturer II in the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. His brilliance, dedication, and commitment to excellence quickly distinguished him among his colleagues and students. 
 
In pursuit of advanced knowledge, he was sponsored by the University to travel to the United States of America, where he obtained his Master's and Doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees in Physiotherapy. While abroad, he continued to demonstrate his characteristic humility and diligence, balancing academic rigor with deep spiritual reflection. His time in the U.S. broadened his horizons, strengthened his academic foundation, and inspired him to return home to contribute to national development.
 
Upon his return to Nigeria in 1982, Professor Owoeye resumed teaching and research at the University of Lagos and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he served meritoriously for over three decades until his retirement in July 2018. His career was marked by outstanding teaching, groundbreaking research, and mentorship of countless physiotherapists who now serve across Nigeria and beyond.
 
Leadership and National Service
A visionary leader, Professor Owoeye served as the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) from 1989 to 1993, during which he championed the professional recognition of physiotherapy and worked tirelessly to strengthen the association's role in health policy and education.
 
He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy Journal, through which he promoted evidence-based practice and scholarly research in rehabilitation sciences. One of his most enduring contributions was his instrumental role in establishing the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board (MRTB) of Nigeria, the statutory body that regulates the practice of physiotherapy and other rehabilitation professions.
 
Notably, he authored the Physiotherapy Oath of Practice still in use today — a document that continues to guide the ethical and professional standards of the field. His legacy as an academic leader, reformer, and advocate for quality healthcare remains deeply respected.
Faith, Values, and Personal Life
 
Professor Owoeye was not only an academic giant but also a man of deep Christian faith. From childhood, he experienced a divine encounter with God, which profoundly shaped his life. His spirituality inspired a lifelong commitment to service, integrity, and compassion for others. He was known for his gentle spirit, humility, and unwavering belief that God orders the steps of the righteous.
 
He was also a firm believer in Nigeria's potential for greatness. He often expressed optimism about the nation's future, declaring that with dedication, honesty, and faith, “Nigeria can be great again.” His patriotism and sense of duty were evident not only in his work but also in his mentorship of younger professionals, whom he constantly encouraged to believe in themselves and in their country.
 
Outside his professional life, Professor Owoeye was a man of refined taste and culture. He loved classical and old country music, finding in them a soothing escape and inspiration for reflection. He enjoyed quiet evenings surrounded by his family, sharing stories, laughter, and wisdom. His home was a place of warmth, hospitality, and faith — a reflection of his heart.
 
He was blessed with four loving children, all of whom inherited his strength of character, discipline, and commitment to excellence. He was also a proud grandfather, who found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren. Family meant everything to him, and he cherished every opportunity to nurture, teach, and love them deeply.
 
Legacy
Professor Isaac Olaleye Owoeye's life story is one of faith, perseverance, and destiny fulfilled. From humble beginnings in Ilesha to becoming a celebrated academic and national leader, he proved that with hard work, vision, and divine grace, no dream is impossible.
 
He left behind not only a strong professional legacy but also an enduring personal example — of integrity, humility, and service to God and humanity. He touched countless lives as a teacher, mentor, leader, and friend. His memory continues to inspire all who knew him.
Indeed, his life was a testimony to the transformative power of education, faith, and perseverance.
 
He came, he served, he inspired — and he leaves behind a light that will continue to shine brightly for generations to come.

 

Privacy Policy  |   Printable version  |   T&C  |   Recommend page  |   Impressum - Legal Notice  |  Frontend Editing