UNILAG honours legacy of WestAfrica’s first clinical radiation oncologist

The College of Medicine, University of Lagos on Wednesday paid tribute to one of the foundational figures in West Africa’s cancer care history, as colleagues, students and family gathered to honour the life of Josbert Duncan. At a commendation service held at the Old Great Hall, speakers reflected on a career that helped define the early trajectory of oncology in the region. Duncan, widely recognised as the first clinical and radiation oncologist in West Africa and a pioneering head of the Department of Radiation Biology, Radiodiagnosis and Radiotherapy (RBRR), was born on October 2, 1931, and died on March 10, 2026.

For many at the college, his legacy is inseparable from its growth. Provost of CMUL, Ademola Oremosu, described Duncan as one of the institution’s early pillars, noting that he joined the college in 1967 and contributed significantly during its formative years. “At a time when cancer was already emerging as a serious health challenge, he was among the first to confront it directly through the use of radiation,” Oremosu said, highlighting his role in advancing radiotherapy practice when specialised expertise was scarce.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Folashade Ogunsola, described the late professor as a trailblazer and an icon. Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Developmental Services), Afolabi Lesi, she noted that Duncan belonged to a generation of specialists who established the credibility of cancer treatment in Nigeria. “He was one of those whose expertise gave direction to oncology practice at a time when the field was still developing,” she said.

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Beyond institutional achievements, tributes also focused on his influence as a mentor. Omolola Salako, a senior lecturer at CMUL, recalled her time training under Duncan, describing it as transformative. She is among about 100 clinical radiation oncologists trained by him. “He taught more than medicine,” she said. “He emphasised resilience, discipline, and respect for patients. He ensured that every patient felt seen and heard.”

His impact, therefore, extended beyond clinical practice into the shaping of future specialists, a contribution that continues to resonate across Nigeria’s healthcare system. Family members offered a more personal reflection of the late oncologist. His daughter, Erejuwa Gbadebo, described him as a supportive and devoted father who valued each of his children. His son, Eyimofe Duncan, characterised him as a pioneer whose influence became clearer through the tributes shared at the event. “He was a pioneer in medical history,” he said, adding that the ceremony revealed the breadth of his contributions.

Speakers consistently described Duncan as a professional who combined technical excellence with empathy, approaching medicine as both a science and a human responsibility. As Nigeria faces a growing cancer burden, his contributions remain particularly relevant. The systems and expertise he helped establish continue to underpin modern oncology practice, from specialist training to patient-centred care. The event, while marking the end of a life, underscored the continuity of impact. In institutions, in practice, and in the many professionals he trained, Duncan’s legacy endures—quietly shaping cancer care long after his passing.