In June 2003 when President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to appoint Professor Eyitayo Lambo his minister of health, he faced opposition, even from his inner circle. Lambo is an economist, not a medical doctor, and by conventional wisdom and practice in Nigeria, it is a doctor that should be health minister. Boxed, as it were, into a corner, Obasanjo decided to explain his dilemma to Lambo, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the University of Ibadan and the University of Rochester, US, and a PhD in operational research applied to health systems from the University of Lancaster, UK. I will now paraphrase their conversation.
"Tayo," Obasanjo said. "People say you are not a doctor, that you should not be health minister." Lambo, who had a good relationship with Obasanjo, responded: "Mr. President, it is ultimately your decision. If you want a minister of health who will be treating patients, diagnosing ailments and performing surgeries, I think you should go for a medical doctor. But if you are thinking of the administration of the health sector so that you can deliver healthcare effectively, you don't necessarily need a doctor to do that."
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